The Kiambu County Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Production has held a public participation forum on the proposed Kiambu County Agroecology Development Bill, 2025 and the Kiambu County Agriculture Sector Coordination Committee Bill, 2025.
The forum brought together farmers, civil society organisations and members of the public to deliberate on the two bills, which seek to promote sustainable agriculture and improve coordination within the county’s agriculture sector.
Stakeholders, including Bunge Mashinani, PELUM Kenya and Great Farmers of Kiambu, expressed strong support for the Agroecology Bill, describing it as timely and necessary in advancing sustainable farming practices and food safety.
The meeting was chaired by the Committee Chairperson, Hon. Naphtaly Munyaka (MCA, Sigona Ward), who gave participants ample time to propose amendments.
He urged stakeholders to make recommendations that would strengthen provisions supporting agroecological farming while protecting both farmers and consumers.
During the forum, members of the public raised concerns over health and food safety, with one participant linking the rising cases of cancer to current food production and manufacturing practices.
Participants called on the county government to enhance oversight in food production to safeguard public health.
Concerns were also raised over the use of harmful fertilisers in farming, with calls for stricter regulation to protect farmers, consumers and the environment.
In response, Hon. Munyaka assured participants that once the bill is passed, regulations would be developed to ensure fertilisers sold within the county meet the required standards and promote organic farming.
He further noted that implementation of the law would be decentralised to the ward level to enhance inclusivity.
Hon. Lawrence Mwaura (MCA, Ting’ang’a Ward) observed that the removal of non-organic fertilisers from the market would require a formal petition to the National Assembly, as certain regulatory powers are vested at the national level.
He added that extensive consultations would be undertaken before such measures are implemented.
Meanwhile, Hon. Cedric Gachunga (MCA, Ikinu Ward) emphasised the importance of public awareness, noting that the committee plans to conduct barazas across the county to educate farmers on the health and environmental benefits of organic fertilisers as preparations for the bill’s implementation continue.
Participants proposed that the Agriculture Sector Coordination Committee Bill, 2025 be passed without amendments, noting that they had no objections to its current provisions. However, the committee welcomed any additional views before Thursday, January 22, 2026.
The public participation exercise marked a key step in the legislative process, reaffirming the Kiambu County Assembly’s commitment to inclusive law-making and sustainable agricultural development.