Suna East MP Junet Mohamed has issued a strong warning to Andrew Mwihia Karanja, who has been nominated by President William Ruto to become the new Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture.
Mohamed’s warning highlights the significant challenges Karanja will face in this role, stressing that failure to address these issues could lead to Karanja losing his job within a year.
The agriculture sector in Kenya has long been plagued by problems, including corruption and inefficiency.
Mohamed, who is a member of the Parliament’s Committee on Appointments, has voiced his concerns about these issues and how they could impact Karanja’s tenure as Agriculture CS.
He pointed out that if Karanja does not manage these challenges effectively, he could find himself out of a job in a short period.
Mohamed’s concerns are rooted in the ongoing issues that have plagued the Ministry of Agriculture. He emphasized that the sector is heavily affected by corruption, which has been a persistent problem for years.
Mohamed specifically warned Karanja about the presence of powerful cartels within the government that often escape accountability.
These cartels are known for manipulating and exploiting the agricultural sector for their gain, leaving ministers and other officials to face the fallout from these corrupt practices.
One significant example Mohamed cited was the case of former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi. Linturi was involved in a scandal concerning the sale of fake fertilisers to farmers.
Despite the severity of the allegations against him, Linturi managed to avoid immediate impeachment. He continued in his role until the President eventually dismissed him along with his entire Cabinet months later.
This case illustrates the difficulties that previous Agriculture ministers have faced, and Mohamed is concerned that Karanja might encounter similar challenges if he does not handle the sector’s issues properly.
Mohamed stressed that Karanja must show how he plans to address and combat corruption effectively. He made it clear that having academic qualifications, such as a PhD, is not sufficient to tackle the corruption and inefficiencies that plague the Ministry of Agriculture.
Instead, Karanja needs to demonstrate practical strategies and a clear plan for dealing with these issues.
Mohamed has urged Karanja to be transparent about his approach and provide evidence of how he intends to confront corrupt practices and improve the sector.
The agriculture sector in Kenya is crucial to the country’s economy and food security. It supports millions of livelihoods and is a significant contributor to the national GDP.
However, its potential is often undermined by corruption, mismanagement, and other systemic issues.
Karanja’s nomination comes at a time when the agriculture sector is facing several pressing issues, including a lack of proper regulation, inefficiencies in distribution, and inadequate support for farmers.
Addressing these problems will require strong leadership, a commitment to transparency, and a willingness to tackle entrenched interests that have historically undermined the sector.
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