Kenya is importing eggs worth nearly KSh 5 billion every year to fill a widening local production gap, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has revealed.
Speaking during a visit to the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Dairy Research Centre in Msabaha, Kilifi County, Kagwe disclosed that the country produces about 4 billion eggs annually against a national demand of 9 billion.
“We must stop importing eggs and start producing enough for ourselves. That requires farming guided by science, not guesswork,” said CS Kagwe.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that Kenya’s path to food security lies in research-driven, data-backed, and science-based agriculture, urging farmers to adopt modern production systems to reduce dependency on imports.
During his tour, the CS inspected ongoing research at the KALRO facility, including grafting of improved crop varieties, and the development of nutrient-rich livestock feeds aimed at boosting productivity and resilience under changing climatic conditions.
Kagwe underscored that with a rapidly growing population and shrinking arable land, Kenyan farmers must embrace soil testing, efficient fertilizer use, and precision farming to enhance yields sustainably.
“Science, data, and innovation must drive our farms — not tradition. That’s how we secure our food future,” he added.
The CS also highlighted ongoing efforts by the ministry to enhance milk quality and output through the promotion of high-yield dairy breeds and improved animal husbandry.
He challenged the youth to take up farming, warning that Kenya’s average farmer is now 64 years old — a demographic imbalance that threatens the future of agriculture.
“Our young people understand technology. Let’s pass the torch to them — they are the future of modern, scientific agriculture,” he said.
The visit was attended by KALRO Director General Dr. Eliud Kireger, Dairy Research Institute Director Dr. Samuel Mbuku, and other senior ministry officials.