The Agricultural and Livestock Extension Services Bill, 2022
Status Timeline
Proposed
Active now
Public Review
Pending
Debate
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Executive
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Final
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A New National Extension Service is Established
Clause 6 of the Bill establishes the Agricultural and Livestock Extension Service as a body corporate. The Service is tasked with enhancing the competitiveness of Kenya's agriculture sector, improving long-term productivity, and collaborating with county governments to coordinate agricultural research, extension programs, and technology transfer.
Five-Year Policy and Strategy Formulation Cycles
Under Clause 4, the Cabinet Secretary is required to formulate and publish a National Extension Services Policy at least once every five years. Consequently, under Clause 5, County Executive Committee (CEC) members must formulate and publish county-specific extension services strategies that align with the national policy.
County-Level Licensing and Regulation Regimes
Clause 26 and Clause 32 empower county governments to regulate local extension services. County governments must maintain an up-to-date register of extension service providers and are authorized to enact county-specific legislation setting out criteria for the registration, licensing, and de-registration of these providers.
Board Members Must Disclose Conflicts of Interest
Under the First Schedule, Clause 5, any member of the Board of Directors or a committee who has a direct or indirect private interest in a matter before the Board must disclose it. Failure to make this disclosure is an offence carrying a fine of up to KSh 500,000, imprisonment for up to seven years, or both.
Bill No.
No. 12 of 2022
Gazette No.
—
Sponsor
Maureen Tabitha Mutinda
Background
Currently, Kenya lacks a unified legal regulatory framework to govern agricultural and livestock extension services. Agricultural extension services play a critical role in combating poverty, improving food security, and helping farmers adapt to climate change and emerging pests. The Agricultural and Livestock Extension Services Bill, 2022 introduces a statutory framework to coordinate national and county extension systems, standardize services, and facilitate scientific technology transfer directly to farms.
Key Provisions
The Agricultural and Livestock Extension Service
Clause 6 establishes the Agricultural and Livestock Extension Service, managed by a Board of Directors. The Board includes a Chairperson appointed by the Cabinet Secretary, representatives from the agricultural and livestock state departments, nominees from the Council of County Governors, and representatives from agricultural research and training institutions.
National and County Strategies
- National Strategy: The Cabinet Secretary must publish a National Extension Services Policy at least once every five years (Clause 4).
- County Strategy: Each county's executive committee member responsible for agriculture must formulate a local strategy that aligns with the national framework (Clause 5).
New Obligations
For County Governments
Under Clause 26, county governments are obligated to:
- Implement national policies and standards relating to extension services.
- Maintain an up-to-date register of all extension service providers operating within the county.
- Process applications for permits and licenses.
- Provide training, technical assistance, and capacity building to local actors.
For Extension Service Providers
Providers must apply for registration and licensing from their respective county governments in accordance with county-specific legislation (Clause 32).
Penalties
Failure to Disclose Conflict of Interest
Under the First Schedule (Clause 5), any member of the Board who fails to disclose a direct or indirect private interest in a matter under consideration by the Board commits an offence. Upon conviction, the member is liable to a fine not exceeding KSh 500,000, or a prison term not exceeding seven years, or both.
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