Weekly News Roundup Nō 5 / Jan 2026
Kenya’s agriculture and environmental sectors recorded major developments this week. Leadership changes, regulatory decisions, and regional sustainability efforts dominated the agenda. Below is a concise roundup of the stories shaping food security, markets, and natural resource management.
KALRO Names New Director General to Strengthen Research and Climate Resilience
The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation has appointed Dr Patrick Ketiem as its new Director General. He succeeds Dr Eliud Kireger, who exits after serving for 11 years. The KALRO Board said the transition supports the organisation’s renewed focus on climate resilience, food security, and research-led innovation.
Dr Ketiem brings over 24 years of experience in agricultural engineering, mechanisation, post-harvest systems, and agro-processing. He previously led the Agricultural Mechanization Research Institute and served as a Chief Principal Research Scientist. During the handover, he urged staff to work together and strengthen partnerships to deliver practical results for farmers.
Board Chair Dr Thuo Mathenge expressed confidence that the new leadership will deepen KALRO’s impact and position research as a driver of sustainable agricultural growth.
Source: The Star
AFA Reopens Macadamia Harvest With Strict Quality Requirements
The Agriculture and Food Authority has reopened the macadamia harvesting and trading season from February 1, 2026. The decision follows a temporary closure that began in December to curb early harvesting and protect export quality.
A maturity survey conducted in January found that nuts in lower-altitude coffee-growing zones had reached maturity. However, most nuts in higher-altitude tea zones remained immature. The survey also confirmed that different macadamia varieties mature at different times.
AFA has directed farmers to harvest only fully mature nuts and leave immature ones to develop. Director General Bruno Linyiru thanked stakeholders for their cooperation and reaffirmed the authority’s focus on quality assurance. Kenya relies on seasonal controls to maintain its standing in premium global macadamia markets.
Source: The Star
Court Approves Phased Rice Imports to Balance Supply and Farmer Protection
The Kerugoya High Court has approved the phased importation of 254,000 metric tonnes of Grade 1 rice to address Kenya’s supply gap. Justice Edward Muriithi ordered the imports to arrive in three equal batches starting in March, April, and May 2026.
Before imports begin, the government must buy all locally available rice during a 30-day mop-up period. Authorities will conduct the purchases at prevailing wholesale prices and open the process to all farmers and traders. The court said this approach will prevent cheap imports from depressing local prices.
Kenya produces only about 20 percent of its annual rice demand. The court ruled that phased imports will stabilise the market while protecting farmers in regions such as Mwea, Ahero, Bunyala, and Kano.
Source: Capital FM Business
Regional Leaders Push Faster Ecosystem Restoration Backed by Data
Regional leaders and biodiversity experts meeting in Nairobi have called for faster ecosystem restoration across Eastern and Southern Africa. They warned that commitments without monitoring and data-backed reporting will not deliver results.
Speaking at the workshop, Environment Cabinet Secretary Dr Deborah Mulongo Barasa said restoration plays a critical role in food production, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience. She stressed the need for reliable systems that track progress and measure impact.
Zambia’s Permanent Secretary for Lands and Natural Resources, Patrick Mucheleka, urged countries to strengthen subregional cooperation. Participants from 11 countries discussed partnerships and practical implementation to meet the global goal of restoring 30 percent of degraded ecosystems by 2030.
Source: Kilimo News