The NEPAD/APRM Kenya Secretariat has kicked off dissemination and capacity building workshop on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) targeting 22 counties. This workshop aims to enhance county level ownership and implementation of the continental agriculture framework, with the goal of achieving food security and sustainable agricultural growth in the country and the continent.
The counties participating in the workshop include: Siaya, Kisii, Nyeri, Meru, Vihiga, Narok, Nyandarua, Makueni, Homa Bay, Machakos, Kajiado, Nandi, Nakuru, Embu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Tana River, Bomet, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Kakamega, and Bungoma.
Dr. Rose Kitur, Director NEPAD Programmes giving her opening remarks during the dissemination and capacity building exercise
The Secretariat is spearheading the workshop in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the national CAADP task team including Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Akademiya2063, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
CAADP, is a continental policy framework, which represents a collective commitment by African Heads of State and Government to spearhead agricultural development. It was first endorsed by the African Union (AU) in Maputo in July 2003, and has since evolved through three strategic phases each reflecting the continent’s growing commitment to agricultural transformation and food security. Phase I, known as the Maputo Declaration (2003–2014), marked the initial commitment by African Union Member States to prioritize agriculture as a key driver of development. Governments pledged to allocate at least 10% of their national budgets to the agricultural sector and set a target of achieving a minimum of 6% annual agricultural growth. This phase laid the groundwork for strengthening national policies, investing in rural development, and enhancing food production systems.
Participants during the dissemination and capacity building workshop
Phase II, the Malabo Declaration (2015–2025), shifted focus towards accelerated agricultural growth and transformation. This phase introduced seven key commitment areas, including increasing investment finance, ending hunger, reducing post harvest losses, halving poverty through agriculture, and enhancing trade and resilience. Additionally, this phase saw the establishment of CAADP Biennial Review (BR) process a results oriented accountability mechanism through which countries assess progress and identify implementation gaps.
Subsequently, Phase III, the Kampala Declaration (2026–2035), goes beyond traditional agriculture to encompass resilient and sustainable agri food systems. This phase is anchored on six strategic pillars that align with broader goals such as environmental stewardship, inclusive growth, and strengthening food system value chains to withstand global shocks and climatic variability.
County Governments play a pivotal role in the successful implementation of CAADP in Kenya. Their role is to lead the transformation of the agricultural sector by aligning CAADP priorities with their planning and development frameworks. This involves integrating continental and national policies and strategies into County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs) and County Agriculture Sector Plans. Additionally, counties are tasked with strengthening their monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track progress, measure impact, and inform policy adjustments.
Dr. Rose Kitur, Director NEPAD Programmes in her remarks, emphasized that the involvement of County Governments in the CAADP agenda is essential for the realization of Kenya’s agricultural transformation goals as well as attainment of Agenda 2063 aspirations. Dr. Kitur noted that by taking lead in entrenching CAADP principles into CIDPs, County Governments ensure that national and continental priorities are translated into actionable strategies.
In conclusion, the role of county governments in the CAADP implementation process ensures that agriculture development is inclusive, and sustainable. By equipping county government officials with the tools, frameworks, and knowledge necessary to domesticate and implement CAADP, Kenya is reinforcing its commitment to food security, inclusive economic development, and sustainable agriculture for accelerated realisation of AU Agenda 2063.
