New Bill Aims to Boost Kenya’s Horticulture Sector

A new bill introduced in September 2024 could reshape the horticulture industry in Kenya, bringing sweeping changes to the farming, handling, and marketing of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Sponsored by MP Sabina Chege, the Horticultural Crops Authority Bill, 2024, proposes to create a new regulatory body that will oversee the entire horticulture sector.

The proposed Horticultural Crops Authority (HCA) will be tasked with driving industry growth, enhancing farmers’ incomes, and ensuring high safety standards for both local and exported produce. If passed, the Horticultural Crops Act of 2024 would apply to all horticultural products grown, processed, or marketed in Kenya, as well as those imported or exported.

The bill outlines the need for strict licensing, making it mandatory for anyone involved in processing, importing, or exporting horticultural goods to obtain approval from the HCA. Additionally, the Act will empower counties to collect cess fees on horticultural products grown within their jurisdiction. This move is expected to help streamline the revenue system for local governments.

Under the bill, penalties for breaking the law are steep. Violators could face fines of up to Ksh 1 million or a prison sentence of up to three years, or both. The legislation also sets rigorous standards for food safety, forbidding the use of contaminated water for irrigation and prohibiting horticulture at dumping sites.

Further, the bill mandates that all certified products be marked with geographical indications, ensuring consumers know the origin of their produce. Only items that meet quality standards will be permitted for sale, whether locally or internationally.

Given that agriculture contributes more than 20% of Kenya’s GDP and employs a significant portion of the population, this bill is seen as a vital step in bolstering the country’s horticultural sector and enhancing its export potential.