Cabinet Secretary (CS) nominee for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Andrew Mwihia Karanja has fired a warning to cartels.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments on Friday, August 2, 2024, Karanja said that the cartels in the field of agriculture would be out of business should he get approved and assume office.
Karanja on integrity
Karanja noted that he holds the principle of integrity very dearly and that he has farmers’ interests at heart as a matter of priority.
“I know dealing with cartels is a big issue, and there are many formats and forms. But if I am approved by this house and this committee, I am saying I am giving a notice on cartels.
“Notice that they will be out of business in the fact that one of the principles I hold very dearly is integrity. Another principle I hold very dear is having farmers’ interests first,” Karanja stated.
Karanja maintained that he will do what it takes to deal with the cartels in the ministry.
Karanja on his strategy
While outlining some of the measures he will use to fight the cartels, Karanja stated that he will put the systems in place.
He pointed out that he will follow governance structures by making sure that all the government agencies are involved.
Karanja said that the government of Kenya has the agencies that are capable of dealing with the cartels and that he will be on the forefront to lead the course.
“I will do what it takes, Mr. Speaker, to deal with them. Putting the systems in place, as I have said, governance structures, and making sure that I involve all the agencies of the government. I am sure that the government of Kenya is capable and has the agencies that can deal with these cartels,” Karanja said.
Andrew Karanja: I know dealing with cartels in the Ministry of Agriculture is a big issue. I am giving a notice to cartels. They will be out of business. One of the principles I hold very dear is integrity. I will deal with them.
Hon. Moses Wetang’ula: Utatembea na nyundo?… pic.twitter.com/JMek7Y5pr4
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) August 2, 2024
Former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, while in the office, struggled with the issue of cartels, which saw him land in a fertiliser scandal that kicked off his troubles.
During Linturi’s tenure, farmers were duped and sold fake fertilizer.
The scandal saw Bumula Member of Parliament (MP) Jack Wamboka institute an impeachment motion against Linturi, which he survived, but President William Ruto’s axe did not spare him after the cabinet was dissolved and another nominated.
