The Senate Committee on Agriculture has raised serious concerns over the widespread grabbing of land designated for agricultural research, warning that the trend could undermine the country’s food security.
The committee, chaired by Bungoma Senator David Wakoli, singled out the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) as the most affected institution.
According to the senator, unscrupulous traders—allegedly in collusion with government officials—are targeting KALRO’s land, severely disrupting research and agricultural development efforts.
“This is not just a land issue; it’s an attack on the foundation of our food production systems,” said Wakoli.
He added that budget cuts in the agriculture sector would have long-term negative effects, especially if research institutions continue to lose vital resources like land.
To protect the remaining parcels, the Senate plans to work with the Ministry of Lands to secure legal ownership for all land set aside for agricultural research.
“We will compile a full catalogue of KALRO’s land and push the Ministry to issue title deeds, ensuring the institution operates independently and without fear of land loss,” Wakoli emphasized.
Speaking during a visit to the KALRO station in Naivasha, Senator Wakoli praised the organization for continuing to serve farmers effectively despite limited funding.
He highlighted the positive outcomes of partnerships between KALRO and county governments, including programs that have provided subsidized chicks and piglets to farmers in various regions.
“There is concern that funding shortfalls could cripple research and extension services, but we are committed to working with all relevant government agencies to strengthen KALRO’s mandate,” he said.
Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda echoed these sentiments, calling for amendments to the KALRO Act of 2013 to enhance the institution’s operational capacity. “KALRO has the potential to drive this country toward food self-sufficiency—we must allocate more resources to it,” he stated.
Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi also voiced concern, describing land grabbing as a major threat to national food security. “In Naivasha alone, the research station sits on over 3,000 acres, but nearly half of that has been illegally acquired, with court battles dragging on for years,” he said.
KALRO director Samuel Mbuku acknowledged the financial challenges facing the organization, but noted that they are collaborating with county governments and development partners to meet growing demand from farmers.
“Our challenges include recurring droughts, high input costs, and disease outbreaks, but we are addressing them through climate-smart technologies,” said Mbuku.
