Kenya’s Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has vowed to end the country’s heavy dependence on imported eggs, revealing that Kenya brings in an estimated 5 billion eggs every year to meet local demand.

Speaking during a tour of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Msabaha Research Centre in Kilifi County, Kagwe said the country’s current production about 4 billion eggs annually falls far short of the 9 billion eggs demanded by consumers. The shortfall, he said, has created a massive reliance on imports that drains billions from the economy.

“We must stop importing eggs and start producing enough for ourselves,” Kagwe asserted. “That requires farming guided by science, not guesswork.”

A Costly Deficit

According to Kagwe, Kenya spends over KSh 500 billion every year importing basic food items such as wheat, rice, eggs, and other agricultural products a situation he described as unsustainable and a threat to the country’s long-term food security.

“Why should we be importing eggs?” he questioned. “I hear Kenchic is the main importer, and I will engage them so that we address this. Anything we are importing as food, we must make sure we are not doing that.”

The Cabinet Secretary insisted that Kenya has the potential and resources to meet its own food needs if farmers adopt modern, research-driven agricultural practices.

Science Before Seed

At KALRO, Kagwe observed research projects focused on improving crop and livestock productivity, including grafting of hybrid plants, formulation of nutritious animal feeds, and soil health innovations.

He said the government’s vision for agriculture must move beyond tradition to embrace data, research, and innovation.

“Our farming must be guided by science,” he said. “Soil testing, proper fertilizer use, and smart irrigation are not optional they are the foundation of sustainable food production.”

He further noted that with Kenya’s population growing rapidly and arable land shrinking, precision agriculture and scientific decision-making were crucial to raising yields and ensuring food sufficiency.

Bridging Science and Policy

Kagwe called for stronger collaboration between researchers and policymakers, emphasizing that the country’s scientific findings should be turned into practical solutions for farmers on the ground.

“We need to be in touch with our scientists so that we can communicate what they have found out for our farmers’ benefit,” he said.
“Information that is not shared is like winking in the dark no one sees it.”

The CS said his ministry would prioritize translating research into action, ensuring that the innovations being developed at institutions like KALRO reach the farmers who need them most.

The Youth and the Future of Farming

Kagwe also issued a wake-up call to young Kenyans, urging them to take up modern, technology-driven agriculture instead of dismissing it as outdated.

He revealed that the average age of a Kenyan farmer is 64 years, warning that the country risks an agricultural collapse if the youth fail to take over.

“Our young people understand technology,” he said. “Let’s pass the torch to them. They are the future of modern, scientific agriculture.”

The CS emphasized that the government is rolling out incentives and training opportunities to attract youth into agribusiness including access to innovation hubs, financing, and digital platforms for market access.

A Call for Agricultural Revolution

Kagwe’s remarks come at a time when the government is working to revamp the food security pillar under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). His ministry has prioritized boosting local food production, reducing post-harvest losses, and increasing research funding to support innovation.

He reaffirmed that Kenya’s path to agricultural transformation lies not in importing more food, but in empowering farmers to produce better and smarter.

“If we want to achieve food security, we must anchor our progress on research, innovation, and evidence-based policy,” Kagwe said.
“We must ensure our scientists lead the way and that their findings are implemented in every farm, from Turkana to Kwale.”

Turning the Tide on Imports

The Agriculture Ministry is expected to hold consultations with major food producers, including poultry companies, to develop strategies for reducing egg imports within the next two years.

Analysts say achieving that goal would not only save billions in foreign exchange but also create thousands of jobs in the poultry value chain from feed manufacturing to egg processing and distribution.

Farmers’ groups in Central, Rift Valley, and Western Kenya have already welcomed the CS’s remarks, saying they are ready to scale up production if given access to affordable feeds, extension services, and markets.

“We can produce enough eggs for Kenya and even export,” said a Nakuru poultry farmer. “We just need government support to manage feed prices and disease control.”

The Bottom Line

As Kagwe left the KALRO research centre, the message was clear: Kenya’s agricultural transformation will not come from imports but from innovation.

The government hopes that with the right mix of science, youth involvement, and evidence-based policy, the country can finally close its production gaps and reclaim its food sovereignty.

“We have the brains, the land, and the people,” Kagwe concluded. “Now we must act.”