Mutahi Kagwe, the Cabinet Secretary nominee for Agriculture, has disclosed his net worth as Sh842 million, comprising real estate holdings and pieces of land accumulated over several years.
Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Appointments on Tuesday, Kagwe also outlined his vision for transforming the agricultural sector if approved for the position.
Kagwe emphasized the need for a comprehensive communication framework that leverages both traditional and digital media to enhance communication within the agricultural sector. He stressed that this approach would ensure active participation from all key stakeholders, including farmers, experts, and policymakers.
“Any decisions we make must include those who own these [agriculture and livestock] products,” Kagwe stated.
He also highlighted the value of engaging with the public through the media, a strategy he successfully employed during his tenure as Health CS during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If approved, I will continue to work closely with the media, both mainstream and social, to disseminate information and engage with the public,” he said.
Acknowledging the challenges of attracting young people to agriculture, Kagwe noted that the sector must be made more appealing to the youth.
“Agriculture for the youth must be made cool. It’s too ordinary and boring. Youth are not going to go there with the way it’s structured today,” he remarked.
He proposed incorporating technology and innovative practices to make agriculture more exciting and profitable. Kagwe stressed the importance of embracing artificial intelligence (AI) in the sector and preparing future farmers to leverage emerging technologies.
“Artificial intelligence is going to play a crucial role in the future of agriculture. Are we educating our future farmers to deal with AI? Are we preparing ours to compete with the best in the world?” he posed.
Kagwe recognized the importance of social media in reaching younger audiences and farmers. While he acknowledged the challenges posed by negativity on digital platforms, he described social media as a valuable tool for effective communication and engagement.
By focusing on innovative strategies, embracing technology, and fostering inclusivity, Kagwe aims to position agriculture as a vibrant and forward-looking sector that appeals to Kenya’s youth and drives the nation’s economic growth.
