NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 12 – Mutahi Kagwe has launched a sunflower and soybean production initiative aimed at reducing Kenya’s Sh145 billion edible oil import bill.
Kenya consumes about 600,000 metric tonnes of edible oil annually, with over 90–95 percent imported, according to government data.
The initiative was unveiled during the Kilimo Biashara Expo 2026 at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization Seeds headquarters in Thika.
The Ministry of Agriculture plans to scale up production through high-yield seed varieties, stronger seed multiplication systems, support for farmer groups and cooperatives, and investment in processing and value addition.
The expo is showcasing improved seeds, mechanization and digital agriculture technologies aimed at promoting agribusiness development and boosting local edible oil production.
