Image: Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka

By: Brandon Moss

County governments participating in Kenya’s National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) have been warned that failure to meet agreed performance benchmarks could result in their removal from the programme.

The caution was issued by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, who also chairs the Council of Governors’ agriculture committee. He stressed that strict compliance with project guidelines, timelines and accountability requirements was essential if the multi-billion-shilling initiative is to deliver meaningful results.

Lusaka said the core objective of NAVCDP is to improve farmer livelihoods at the grassroots level through higher productivity, stronger market access and value addition. He urged counties to shift decisively from planning to implementation.

“The focus must remain on changing the lives of farmers through effective and timely delivery of NAVCDP projects at the county level,” Lusaka said. “Continued underperformance will not be tolerated, and counties that fail to meet targets risk being exited from the programme.”

He challenged county administrations to demonstrate commitment by fast-tracking approved activities, prioritising farmer-centred interventions and aligning county programmes with Kenya’s broader agricultural transformation agenda.

Accountability under scrutiny

Lusaka also underscored the importance of transparency and sound governance in managing donor-funded initiatives, warning that mismanagement could undermine the programme’s credibility and erode public trust.

His remarks were reinforced by Bomet Governor Benjamin Cheboi, who called for prudent financial management and clear, measurable outcomes. Cheboi emphasised that counties must ensure funds reach intended beneficiaries and translate into tangible gains for farmers.

“We must be able to account for every shilling and clearly demonstrate impact on farmers’ incomes and food security,” Cheboi said.

Push for results-driven implementation

The meeting was chaired by Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe, who urged counties and implementing agencies to move away from what he described as “loose arrangements” and adopt structured, results-oriented approaches aligned with national development priorities.

Kagwe also raised concerns over procurement decisions within ongoing projects, questioning their relevance and value for money. He called for strict adherence to procurement laws and best practices to safeguard efficiency and long-term sustainability.

“The emphasis must be on value for money and projects that deliver real benefits to farmers, not activities that add limited impact on the ground,” Kagwe said.

NAVCDP is a flagship programme aimed at strengthening priority agricultural value chains across counties, with a focus on productivity, market integration and resilience. As implementation accelerates, performance and accountability are emerging as decisive factors in determining continued county participation.