CS Kagwe calls for embracing of private investors to boost economy

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe has called on government officials across the country to adopt a pro-investment mindset, warning that animosity towards successful investors and private enterprises undermines economic growth.

Speaking at the official opening of the Jumuia ya Kaunti za Pwani Coastal Agricultural Value Chain Revitalisation Workshop in Malindi, Kagwe stressed that Kenya must position itself as a country that welcomes and protects enterprises to foster economic stability.

“Investors do not come here to earn stones. They come to make money and that is exactly why they should come,” he said, emphasizing that private profits drive job creation and economic expansion.

Kagwe urged both national and county governments to streamline approvals, remove bureaucratic bottlenecks, and provide predictable policy frameworks that de-risk long-term agricultural and industrial investments.

The Cabinet Secretary also highlighted the Coast region’s agricultural potential, noting that structured value chains, modern technology adoption, climate-smart practices, and public-private partnerships can transform the region’s economy.

“This is not about projects. It is about building a durable agricultural economy for the Coast, one that is climate-resilient, youth-driven, and globally competitive,” Kagwe said.

The two-day workshop brings together county governments, farmers, private sector players, and development partners to craft actionable plans for revitalising cash crops such as cashew nuts, coconut, sim sim, groundnuts, mangoes, and livestock systems.

Kagwe also called for frank discussions on investor support, stressing that agriculture, being a devolved function, requires county-national collaboration.

He questioned how counties can actively support renewal, what investors need from county and national governments, how research institutions can aid innovation, and how county extension officers can be strengthened to bring knowledge directly to farmers.