Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has raised concern over Kenya’s heavy reliance on egg imports, revealing that the country imports an estimated 5 billion eggs annually to meet national demand.
Speaking during a tour of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Dairy Research Centre in Msabaha, Kilifi County, Kagwe said Kenya currently produces only 4 billion eggs per year against a national requirement of 9 billion.
“This must stop,” Kagwe said firmly. “We must stop importing eggs and start producing enough for ourselves. That requires farming guided by science not guesswork.”
The CS emphasized that the key to achieving Kenya’s food security lies in scientific research, innovation, and data-driven agriculture. He pointed out that investments in institutions such as KALRO are vital to developing sustainable solutions to boost agricultural productivity.
During his visit, Kagwe commended KALRO’s ongoing research on improved crop varieties, grafting techniques, and livestock feed formulation, describing them as essential innovations for enhancing resilience amid climate change and rising input costs.
He further urged farmers to embrace soil testing, proper input use, and precision agriculture to improve yields and reduce dependency on imports. With the average Kenyan farmer aged around 64 years, Kagwe called on the youth to take up farming as a viable and profitable career.
“The future of our food security lies in science understanding what our soils need, how our crops respond, and how our animals produce. That is the only way to move from subsistence to sustainability,” Kagwe stated.
He also addressed Kenya’s dairy sector, advocating for quality-based milk production supported by improved animal breeds and modern husbandry practices to enhance competitiveness and self-sufficiency.
Kagwe’s remarks underscore the government’s renewed push for agricultural transformation through innovation, youth involvement, and scientific advancement.
