The National Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening agricultural research, improving public sector efficiency and enhancing accountability.
This follows a monthly meeting of Principal Secretaries (PSs) led by the Head of the Public Service to streamline government delivery, track presidential directives, and foster inter-agency collaboration.
Speaking Wednesday after the forum, at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) headquarters, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei said the meeting reviewed key policy issues aimed at accelerating national development, improving service delivery and strengthening government institutions.
Agriculture featured prominently during the meeting, with Principal Secretaries (PSs) receiving a briefing on KALRO’s research, innovations, and technology transfer programmes aimed at enhancing food security and building resilience to climate change.
Koskei commended KALRO for its contribution to agricultural research, farmer advisory services, data management, and the development of climate-smart crop and livestock technologies.
“We have appreciated what KALRO is doing in terms of research, advisory services to farmers, data management, and accurate prediction to support farmers across the country,” he said.
He said KALRO’s work on improved crop varieties, livestock genetics, and climate-smart agriculture would help boost productivity and strengthen the country’s food security.
Koskei noted that KALRO has enhanced farmer registration and generated critical agricultural data that enables extension officers to advise farmers on suitable crops, fertilizer use and farming practices based on ecological zones.
He acknowledged that Kenya had experienced reduced agricultural production this year due to prolonged drought associated with climate change but assured Kenyans that the government had put in place measures to cushion both farmers and consumers.
“We may have less than normal harvests, but the government has taken steps to ensure farmers are supported and consumers are protected,” Koskei said.
KALRO Director General Dr. Patrick Keteim said the institution has developed a wide range of early-maturing and climate-resilient crop varieties as well as improved livestock breeds to help farmers cope with erratic weather and increase production.
“KALRO has developed several climate-smart crop varieties and improved livestock breeds that can enhance productivity despite the challenges posed by climate change,” he said.
Dr. Ketiem said KALRO’s mandate goes beyond research to ensuring farmers access technologies through training, demonstrations, and scientific advisory services.
He said the organization is expanding access to certified seeds, seedlings and other agricultural technologies through its Mkulima Shops across the country while establishing a large-scale Research AgriPark.
It is through Agripark, he explained, that farmers will access improved technologies, receive real-time climate advisories and interact directly with scientists before adopting recommended farming practices.
The DG added that KALRO is accelerating the digitization of its services to improve access to agricultural information and support the government’s drive towards precision agriculture.
Through digital platforms, farmers will be able to consult KALRO scientists remotely while sharing information on their farms, including soil type, crop varieties, and acreage, to support evidence-based agricultural planning.
Dr. Ketiem noted that KALRO is also working with agripreneurs in all wards to strengthen agricultural data collection and expand the adoption of research technologies.
With the September-December short rains approaching, he urged farmers to visit KALRO centres to obtain certified seed varieties suited to their ecological zones, saying the institution has adequate seed supplies for the upcoming planting season.
Beyond agriculture, the Principal Secretaries also reviewed reforms aimed at improving efficiency across the public service. Koskei said that the government is implementing measures to optimize office accommodation by reducing expenditure on leased premises and reorganizing government offices to improve accessibility while cutting operational costs.
He said the meeting also assessed progress in cleaning up the government payroll, with presentations from the Public Service Ministry, the Internal Auditor-General, the National Treasury and the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) team showing significant improvements in payroll controls.
“We are satisfied with the progress that has been made in ensuring that those who are paid are those genuinely serving in government,” he said.
The forum also received a presentation on the turnaround strategy for Kenya Airways, with Koskei saying accounting officers were impressed by the recovery roadmap and expressed confidence that the airline’s current board would restore the national carrier to profitability.
On security, he said PSs were briefed on the country’s security situation and expressed satisfaction with ongoing efforts to maintain law and order.
Koskei assured that the government remains focused on strengthening institutions, supporting economic growth and delivering efficient services through coordinated implementation of national policies.
By Wangari Ndirangu
