Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries,Livestock,I and C Bungoma County

26/07/2026

08/07/2026

𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐦𝐚 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has signed into law the Bungoma County Agriculture Institutions Development Corporation Bill, 2025, formally establishing a body charged with overseeing and funding the county's key agricultural facilities.

The assent ceremony, held at the Governor's office, was witnessed by County Assembly Clerk Charles Wafula alongside several members of the county assembly drawn from the Agriculture Committee.

The new law creates the Bungoma County Agriculture Institutions Development Corporation under Section 182 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, and its accompanying 2015 regulations, giving the county a formal institutional and legal framework for managing its agricultural assets.

Among the facilities to be brought under the corporation's umbrella are the Mabanga Agricultural Training Centre, the Agricultural Mechanization Service Unit, a soil testing laboratory, and the Chwele Fish Farm, with provision for additional institutions to be gazetted in future as the need arises.

The Act empowers the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, with the County Assembly's approval, to establish such institutions by notice in the Kenya Gazette.

Governance of the corporation will rest with the CECM, a Board of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer and supporting staff, while its operations will be underpinned by an initial capital injection of KSh 230 million, drawn from county allocations and other approved sources.
The law also grants the corporation powers to invest in agriculture-related value chains, subject to the CECM's approval, and requires it to draw up a five-year corporate investment strategy within four months of the Board's constitution.
Further provisions cover the corporation's dissolution, protection of officials from personal liability, and the CECM's authority to issue regulations to give full effect to the Act.

The corporation is expected to give fresh impetus to agricultural development across Bungoma, a county whose economy is anchored heavily on sugarcane, maize and other farm produce.

08/07/2026

It is with profound sadness that I have received the news of the passing of Ms. Cate Nabutola, our Senior Administrator in the Department of Agriculture,Livestock,Fisheries,Irrigation &Cooperative Development.

On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, I extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives she touched.

Cate served the department with unwavering dedication, professionalism, and integrity. She worked diligently and played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth coordination of our departmental operations. Her commitment, humility, and positive spirit earned her the respect and admiration of everyone who had the privilege of working with her. Her passing is a great loss to our department.

As we mourn this painful loss, we stand in solidarity with her family and pray that God grants them strength, comfort, and peace during this difficult time. May they find solace in the cherished memories of her life and service.

May her soul rest in eternal peace.

Eng.Herbert Kibunguchy
CECM Agriculture,Livestock,Fisheries , Irrigation & Cooperative.

22/04/2026

Farmers across Bungoma County are set to benefit from the introduction of high-iron beans, a transformative initiative by HarvestPlus aimed at improving nutrition and boosting household incomes. This program also seeks to strengthen the capacity of cooperative societies, ensuring farmers are better organized and connected to sustainable markets.

The initiative was officially launched with the distribution of 6 metric tonnes of high-iron beans, 3 metric tonnes of green grams, and 750,000 sweet potato vines. Speaking during the event, Chief Officer Dina Makokha commended the partners involved for their commitment to enhancing food security and nutrition in Bungoma County. She encouraged continued collaboration and sustainability to ensure long-term impact even after the project concludes.

Chief Officer for Cooperatives, Timothy Wanjala, emphasized the importance of extending the benefits of this initiative to schools, highlighting them as key beneficiaries. He proposed a practical model where parents are supported with seed packets to plant, and upon harvest, supply produce to schools. This, he noted, could also help offset school fees, creating a win-win solution for families and institutions.

Wanjala further urged farmers to transition from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture. He stressed the need for proper farmer profiling and stronger linkages to cooperative societies, which will enhance access to markets, inputs, and financial opportunities.
HarvestPlus representative, Ms. Penina Muoki, noted that the initiative will significantly diversify crop production in Bungoma County. Schools are expected to serve as reliable off-takers, creating a steady demand for high-iron beans. This is projected to increase bean production in the region by approximately 25%, while also addressing iron deficiency through improved nutrition.

This initiative marks a significant step toward building a healthier, more food-secure, and economically empowered Bungoma County.

16/04/2026

*Mbatiany Calls for Stronger Extension Services to Boost Farm productivity.*

Bungoma deputy governor Janepher Mbatiany has called for strengthened collaboration between agricultural extension officers and farmers across the Western region to improve productivity and boost yields.

Speaking during the closing ceremony and certificate award for Farmer Field School (FFS) facilitators drawn from Siaya, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Busia, and Bungoma counties at Mabanga Agricultural Training Centre (ATC), Mbatiany emphasized the need to strengthen collaboration between extension officers and farmers at the grassroots level.

She commended the FFS participants for their commitment and dedication throughout the training period, noting that their role as trainers will be critical in cascading knowledge and skills to farmers within their communities.

“I congratulate the FFS graduates for their commitment to this training and urge them to apply the knowledge acquired to work closely with farmers to enhance productivity and improve yields. I also commend the FAO team for their support in empowering the facilitators, a key step in ensuring farmers benefit from modern agricultural innovations,” she said.

Mbatiany further urged the graduates to use their skills to empower farming communities and drive agricultural transformation, while reiterating the County Government of Bungoma’s continued support under H.E. Governor Kenneth Lusaka for capacity-building initiatives in agriculture as a key pillar for economic growth and improved livelihoods.

The FFS have completed a 10-day intensive training under the TUNZA Project aimed at strengthening their capacity to deliver modern, climate-smart agricultural practices at the community level. Speaking during the ceremony, LREB Chief Executive Officer for Livestock, Fisheries, and Blue Economy Victor Nyagaya noted that the programme is a strategic initiative designed to build a strong network of skilled trainers to champion innovation and best practices in agriculture.

The programme is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with Agriterra as a co-executing agency, with the Government of Kenya playing a central role in implementation and co-financing.

15/04/2026

𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐙𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞-𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚.

The TUNZA Project is spearheading transformative efforts aimed at improving livelihoods through the promotion of climate-resilient, low-emission, and sustainable agricultural value chains across the Lake Region Economic Block (LREB).

Implemented in collaboration with the County Government of Bungoma and other regional partners, the initiative seeks to enhance food security and build resilience among farming communities.

At the heart of the project is the drive to scale up climate-smart technologies across the agricultural value chain from production to consumption. The programme is set to directly benefit more than 63,000 smallholder farmers through the Food and Agriculture Organization-led Farmer Field Schools (FFS), while an additional 80,000 farmers will gain through cooperative networks, with a strong focus on gender-responsive approaches.

“The transfer of innovative and climate-resilient technologies to farmers is key to strengthening food security and building resilient communities,” said Chief Officer Madam Dinah Makokha during a recent training session.

The project further aims to develop scalable and replicable models that can be adopted beyond the region, ensuring long-term sustainability and impact.

Six priority value chains have been identified under the initiative tea, coffee, African leafy vegetables, poultry, dairy, and fruit trees all critical in improving nutrition, household incomes, and resilience.

The programme is being delivered by the FAO as the accredited entity, in partnership with Agriterra as a co-executing agency, while the Government of Kenya plays a central role in implementation and co-financing.

Recently, Farmer Field School facilitators drawn from Siaya, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Busia, and Bungoma counties underwent intensive training aimed at strengthening their capacity to deliver modern, climate-smart agricultural practices at the grassroots level.

Makokha lauded the FAO team for its commitment to empowering facilitators, noting that the knowledge and skills gained would have a ripple effect across farming communities.

“I commend the FAO team for their dedication. Empowering facilitators is a critical step in ensuring that farmers on the ground benefit from modern agricultural innovations,” she added.

The training brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from LREB, FAO, Agriterra, county focal persons, FFS master trainers, and facilitators showing a strong multi-stakeholder commitment to the project’s success.

Through strategic partnerships, capacity building, and knowledge transfer, the TUNZA Project is steadily laying the foundation for a sustainable, food-secure, and climate-resilient future for communities across Western Kenya

19/03/2026

County Embraces Climate Data to Strengthen Agriculture and Promote Diversification

The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) is a key partner in the program, supporting efforts to collect and harness data on climate and weather patterns. This data plays a critical role in informing decision-making, enabling the development of resilient farming practices, and addressing climate-related challenges—especially in the county, which is a major food basket for the country.

By tracking environmental changes, the partnership aims to equip farmers and stakeholders with accurate, timely information to improve productivity, reduce risks, and enhance sustainability in the agricultural sector.

The Chief Officer for Livestock and Fisheries, Andrew Musungu, expressed appreciation for the partnership and reaffirmed the county government’s full support. He noted that the collaboration presents significant opportunities for the county to benefit from data-driven agricultural planning and improved resilience strategies.

He further emphasized the need for farmers to diversify their agricultural activities beyond traditional crops such as sugarcane. “We need to encourage our farmers to venture into other enterprises such as beekeeping and the cultivation of high-value crops like avocados,” he said. He added that diversification would not only improve household incomes but also strengthen food security and reduce overreliance on a single crop.

26/01/2026

Earlier today, a team from KALRO–NAVCDP, led by Dr. Mary Koech, paid a courtesy call to the Chief Officer for Agriculture, Madam Dinah Makokha.

The meeting focused on discussions around the Digital Soil Sampling initiative for Bungoma County, ahead of its rollout during a scheduled training at Mabanga Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) tomorrow.

The engagement underscored the county’s commitment to leveraging digital innovations to enhance soil health management, improve agricultural productivity, and support evidence-based decision-making for farmers.

16/01/2026

LOPAC Eyes Partnership with Bungoma County to Boost Sunflower and Groundnut Production

CECM for Agriculture Eng.Herbert Kibunguchy joined farmers from Bumula Sub-County who participated in a workshop focused on value addition opportunities in sunflower and groundnuts.

The session was organized by Lionaire Oil and Products Agriculture Cooperative (LOPAC), an organization committed to empowering farmers through agribusiness and cooperative development.

During the workshop, farmers were taken through practical approaches to value addition aimed at increasing profitability, reducing post-harvest losses, and opening access to better markets. LOPAC emphasized its mission to partner with the Bungoma County Department of Agriculture to enhance agricultural productivity, increase harvests, support household incomes, and improve the overall livelihoods of farming families.

Speaking at the event, Eng. Kibunguchy lauded the initiative, describing LOPAC as a timely and beneficial organization that aligns well with the county’s agricultural development goals. He urged farmers to embrace and actively participate in the cooperative movement, noting that collective action remains key to achieving sustainable growth, stronger bargaining power, and improved returns for smallholder farmers