Kenya Private Sector Breakfast Meeting (1.2Mb ~ 3 - FANRPAN

Kenya Agribusiness & Agro-Industry Alliance (KAAA) Breakfast Meeting

An Umbrella Body bringing together all stakeholders working 

along the Value Chain for better coordination 

and engagement with the Government, 


Kenya Agribusiness & Agro-Industry Alliance (KAAA) Breakfast Meeting 

INAUGURAL 

( BREAKFAST MEETING) 

KENYA AGRIBUSINESS & AGRO-INDUSTRY ALLIANCE (KAAA) 

NAIROBI KENYA, 19TH APRIL 2011 

TIME:6.30 AM -8 AM 

VENUE: SERENA HOTEL

ACRONYMS 

AU - African Union 

BAACH - Business Alliance Against Chronic Hunger 

CAADP - Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme 

USAID - United States Agency for International Development 

NEPAD - New Partnership for Africa Development 

MTIP - Mid Term Investment Plan 

KENFAP - Kenya National Federation of Agricultural Producers 

KEPSA - Kenya Private Sector Alliance 

FEWA - Federation of women Entrepreneurs Association 

GIZ - The Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit. 

ASCU -Agriculture Sector Coordination Unit 

ASDS -Agriculture Sector development Strategy 

KEPSA -Kenya Private Sector Alliance 

PANAAC -Pan African Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Consortium 

NPCA -Nepad Planning and Coordinating Agency 

ACTIF -African Cotton And Textile Industries Federation 

ATC -Agri and co-operative Training and Consultancy Services Limited 

CAK -Co-operative Alliance Of Kenya 

AAK -Agrochemicals Association of Kenya. 

ESDA -Eastern & southern Dairy Association. 


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 



We would like to thank all the participants and our collaborating partners: 

USAID; AFRICA LEAD; FEED the Future and Nepad Planning and 

Coordinating Agency by facilitating in kind for the meeting. 

We also thank our facilitator Mr. John Kashangaki-Director, Strategic 

Business Advisory Co Africa)

The meeting was opened with participant’s 

self-introduction. 

Welcome Speech 

Mrs. Lucy Muchoki, Vice Chairperson CAADP, 

Non state actors’ Taskforce, CEO PanAAC 

Mrs. Muchoki who convened the meeting 

welcomed the guests and thanked them for 

taking their time from their busy schedules, to 

attend the breakfast meeting. 

She gave the reasons for convening and 

inviting guest was to discuss the need of getting 

together to seek the best option of networking , 

exchange of information and working together 

in partnership among the various stakeholders 

and also seek best way of engaging the 

Government in the implementation of CAADP/ 

MTIP 

OPENING REMARKS 

She gave a brief on CAADP and stated that the 

scenario in Africa as having 60% of potential 

arable land to feed the future World, 30% of 

available irrigation. 

In addition, she said Africa had good human 

resources, best managers in agriculture but yet 

many years after independence, cannot feed 

ourselves! 

She challenged the audience to come together 

and deliver on the CAADP objectives which 

has been endorsed by AU and calls for 

increased Agriculture productivity. 


In her presentation read by Elijah on her 

behalf, she indicated that, 

The Comprehensive Africa Agricultural 

Development Program (CAADP) recognizes 

that to transform African agriculture in each 

country or region, it is imperative to build 

broad and inclusive coalitions committed to 

improving the sectors policies, programming 

and institutions. 

She acknowledged that the role of private 

Sector had been singled out as most crucial in 

realizing the goals of economic development 

in Africa and therefore all the business Actors 

working along the Value Chain must work 

together in partnership. 


However, there have been many challenges 

to the above: 

• To integrate the country team as the 

Nexus for co-coordinating private sector 

participation in CAADP 

• Uncoordinated input from players working 

along the value chain 

• Limited awareness by private sector of the 

CAADP/MTIP process and its relevance to 

them 

• Striking a balance of interests, especially 

for women, grassroots community groups, 

consumers (food and nutritional security) 

and the environment. 

• Among others, availability of resources, 

variable capacity and lack of access to 

platforms that ensure the accountability of 

private Sector participation. 

To address the above challenges, she 

mentioned that this was the basis and reason of 

convening the breakfast meeting. 

The private sector participants and government 

were invited in order to incorporate the 

country level guidelines for private sector 

participation in CAADP/MTIP Process. 

These were the deliberations that lead to a 

transparent selection process to find a private 

sector members and organization as the 

country team:

Dr. W Songa-Agriculture Secretary 

(Ministry of Agriculture) 

He admitted that African Governments had 

done mistakes in the past by not engaging 

private sector more adequately. He explained 

that this is one of the reasons as to why we 

continue to pay the price of being unable to 

feed ourselves. He stressed the need for both 

the Private and government to work together. 

He believed the Private Sector will move 

agriculture forward. He noted that the political 

landscape has changed considerably, which 

is a milestone for the agricultural sector. He 

observed that this country makes excellent 

documents but the implementation is never 

done. 

He admitted that the Government has made 

mistakes in the past by leaving out the Private 

Sector. “We don’t want this status quo again” 

he stated. He challenged the Private Sector to 

David Nyameino 

Cereal growers Association 

speaking 

REMARKS 

define itself, its area of interest and carry out a 

needs assessment to know what they need for 

intervention with the government. 

There is also need for the private sector 

to provide the guidelines on how the 

government can contribute to this process. 

The government needs to provide mechanism 

for the implementation of the Agriculture 

Sector Development Strategy. He proposed 

that the Private Sector to chair this process 

while the government becomes the Secretariat. 

There was also need to develop reporting 

mechanisms to let all participants know what 

is going on with the establishments of exit 

strategies for any process which is completed. 

The government through ASCU is committed 

to implementing the Agricultural Sector 

Development Strategy. He stressed the need 

to appoint chairpersons for the Thematic 

Working Groups from the audience as a way 

forward. He noted that there was development 

of research yet there was no a reflection of this 

on the ground. 


Cornelia Roettger - Executive Director, 

Business Alliance against Chronic Hunger 

(BAACH) 

She elaborated on the need for the private 

sector and the government to get together and 

particularly in working together along the value 

chain. There is a need to bring agriculture to the 

youth (20-37 year olds) by empowering young 

entrepreneurs to do business in agriculture. 

She emphasized on the need for government to 

delegate the ASDS to the private sector and this 

will contribute to the private-public partnership. 

She proposed for contact with the government 

over the MTIP and stressed on the need for 

accountability in order to have a complete 

outcome. She retaliated on the government’s 

challenge over the definition of the private sector. 

Dr. John Mutunga – CEO KENFAP 

He quoted Pages 52/53 of the ASDS booklet 

to have lacked a comprehensive definition of 

the private sector. He further noted that only a 

highlight point that defined the private sector. He 

mentioned that the ASDS document was at one 

time withdrawn from them. He pointed a need for 

proper participation from the private sector which 

he defined as participants in Agri-production, 

those involved in product management, 

transportation, processing, markets and 

consumers. He noted that the Government should 

engage the private sector and the inclusion of 

the Private Sector to be adequate. He highlighted 

on three key points: inclusion; responsibility; 

and representation. He further added that his 

organization can offer leadership on the following 

three TWG’s: food and nutrition security; research 

and extension; and environment, sustainability, 

land and management-climate change 


Mr. Vimal Shah – Vice Chair Kepsa/CEO 

Bidco Group 

He stated that the organizations must drop their 

egos since it was not about individuals but what 

can be gained as a group. He added that the 

main theory is implementation, what lacked 

is the mission to implement. Therefore there 

is need to identify what we haven’t done by 

penetrating mind sets and change the people. 

We should contribute to a common value stream 

and know how to share in the value chain. We 

must have a clear cut mission. He emphasized 

the baseline as competitiveness in the value 

chain; we need to get out of the poor farmers 

perspective and embrace value addition. He 

challenged the current structures that the private 

sector has to engage the government as lacking 

in capacity. 

Tsegaye Makeda, Kenya/ABEO USAID, 

Business and Environment Office 

She mentioned that sustainability cannot be 

achieved without the private sector. She agreed 

with the previous speakers that accountability 

and inclusion of all stakeholders was paramount 

but emphasized on their participation by having 

a meaningful and clearly defined private sector. 

There is a need for private sector development 

strategy. She added that USAID are willing to 

participate in facilitating future meetings. 

Joanne Mwangi - Chair Fewa 

She spoke about the role of women in the Private 

Sector – out of the 51% of women in the Private 

Sector, 49% are in SMEs. Communication 

channels need to be improved so as to engage 

more women. We also need to be conscious 

about the sociological and physiological aspects 

that usually hinder women and address these 

aspects so as to make it easier for more women 

to participate. There are opportunities for 

participants to use the guide and rule method. 

She concurred with the theme by saying “It is 

better to have representation of any kind rather 

than no presentation at all.” She pointed out that 

she was happy to network with other women in 

agribusiness. 

KINYUA Mbijiwe – Chair Kenya Seed 

Association/Director Monsanto 

He said that this was an exciting moment, and 

there was need to choose our representatives 

to a platform to develop feedback on all levels 

of engagement and we are up to the challenge! 

He stated that there was an opportunity for 

the Private Sector to engage with government 

by participating in government’s Agri-related 

projects by providing top-notch input so as to 

set benchmarks and monitor the impact of this 

implementation.

After this briefs, Mr John Kashangaki cited a 

need to have an open forum for all participants 

to air their opinions in regard to establishing 

a transparent selection process to find private 

sector members an organization as the country 

team. 

George Bett- Executive Director- National 

Potato Council 

George Bett noted that we have to address all 

the issues related to value chain. He paused, 

‘there seems nothing is working with the 

government as they prefer working with those 

they know’? 

Mr Sylvester Muigah-Kenya Pig Association 

Mr. Sylvester Muigah stated that as we form 

this alliance we should encompass the small 

scale farmers and the Government should be 

on the forefront of changing people’s mindset 

on agriculture. We must address how to 

communicate with the farmers and advise 

government on the same. 

Vera Koeppen-Head of Policy, GIZ 

Vera proposed that the Private Sector should 

have a representation by one group to air their 

views on policy and engage the government; 

since the Thematic Working Groups were 

“think tanks.” 

Vimal Shah –Vice Chair Kepsa/Director Bidco 

In response as to a question asked on why we 

need such an Alliance while we already have 

KEPSA. He responded that as the vice chair of 

KEPSA, he did not see anything wrong with 

forming this Alliance as long as it was clear 

on what they want to achieve and the key 

point is composition of the task force led by a 

OPEN FORUM 

mission that forms the structure. He added that 

such an alliance would strengthen agricultural 

players. It will eliminate existing information 

asymmetry. 

Gillad Millo –Head Of Business Development 

And Public Relations-Amiran Kenya 

Mr Millo re-emphasized the need of all 

agribusiness players to come together, 

influence policy making and make sure 

everybody’s interests are served. He added 

such an organization would provide an avenue 

for communication. It is worth an effort “if we 

put our heads together.” 

Cornelia Roettger-Executive Director BAACH 

Once again Cornelia stressed the fact that 

the Government recognizes the need to form 

such an Alliance since it would help in better 

engagement. 

Mr. Mwai Kihu-Chair, Thematic working 

group Agribusiness 

Recognized that such a body would help in 

establishing the private sector identity it should 

be comprehensive and harmonized. 

He requested Lucy to pass the list of 

participants in this breakfast meeting to the 

planned consultative meeting scheduled for 

June to discuss the ASDS. 



There was a proposal from PanAAC to form an alliance named KENYA AGRIBUSINESS AND 

AGROINDUSTRY ALLIANCE (KAAA). After the above deliberations, there was a unanimous 

agreement of all members to form a private sector member body through acclamation vote. 

Participants who volunteered for the Task Force:-

1. Gillad Millo – Amiran Kenya Ltd 

2. Geoffrey Rimbere – East African Tea Trade Association 

3. Vimal Shah – Bidco Group 

4. KINYUA Mbijiwe – Kenya Seed Association 

5. Booker Owour – Kenya Small Scale Cereal Growers Association 

6. Cornelia Roettger – BAACH 

7. Mwai Kihu – Amalgamated Chama/ Chair Agribusiness Thematic working group 

8. George Bett – National Potato Council 

9. Mary Goretti Kamau – Eastern Africa farmers Association 

10. Francis Munane – Co-operative Alliance of Kenya 

As a way forward the above task team was charged with the following immediate assignment: 

1. Formation of an advisory task force. 

2. Who will be the members of KAAA? 

3. A need to form the structure of the alliance. 

4. To carry on with the mandate of the country level guidelines for private sector 

participation in CAADP/MTIP process. 


CLOSING REMARKS 


Kimberly Smith - Africa Lead 

She thanked everyone for their 

participation and sacrificing their time 

and other obligations to attend the 

Breakfast Meeting. She emphasized on the 

importance of the CAADP/MTIP process as 

a means to ensuring food security not only 

for the African continent, but also for the 

whole world. She commended the private 

sector for their bold and new enthusiasm. 

There being no other business, Mrs. 

Lucy Muchoki thanked everyone for their 

participation and promised to make a 

follow up on the recommendations and 

promised to keep everyone informed. 

Thereafter, a press conference was held.

Kenya Agribusiness and Agro-industry Alliance Breakfast Meeting on 19th may 2011 

Booker Owour Small Scale Cereals booker@ksscga.org 0724046732 

Brooke Patterson Kenya/ABEO-USAID bpatterson@usaid.gov 020 8622224 

Cornellia Roettger BAACH c.roettger@cgiar.org 0727 017425 

David Nyameino Cereal Growers david@cga.co.ke 020 8330060 

Dr. Christiane Sharief Kenya Livestock Breeders Association csharief@gmail.com 0724206047 

Dr.Songa Ministry of Agriculture wsonga@africaonline.co.ke 072 2767007 

Monica Mburu Equity Bank monica.mburu@equitybank.co.ke 072 2855119 

George K. Bett National Potao Council of Kenya geobett1@yahoo.com 072 2686570 

Joachim Weber ATC j.weber@atc.co.ke 073 5847866 

Joanne Mwangi Fewa- Chair joanne@fewa.or.ke 072 2518880 

John Kiragu Technoserve - Kenya Jkiragu@tns.org 020 3754333 

Kimberly Hickok Smith Africa Lead ksmith@field.winrock.org 073 3333767 

Kinyua Mbijiwe Kenya seed assosiation kinyua.mbijjewe@monsanto.com 072 2517325 

Makeda Tsegaye USAID mtsegaye@usaid.gov 020 8622224 

Martan Obmain Kilimo Faida martan@kilimofaida.com 071 8778298 

Mary Goretti Kamau East Africa Farmers Federation goretti@eaffu.org 072 5338258 

Mukhembi Adrian Kenya Agricultural Commodity Exchange amukhebi@kacekenya.co.ke 071 0344273 

Mwai Kihu Thematic Working Group mwaikihu@fechim.com 072 2797548 

Nancy Gitonga Fewa- CEO info@fewa.or.ke 0722999120 

Rimbere East African Tea Traders Association info@eatta.co.ke 072 2930117 

Ruo Maina Orion East Africa ruo@orioneastafrica.co.ke 072 2705223 

Stephen Mbithi FPEAK info@fpeak.org 020 4451488 

Sylvester Muigai National Pig Growers Association silvester.muigah@gmail.com 072 3997394 

Vera Koeppen GIZ vera.koeppen@giz.de 072 7047338 

Vimal Shah Bidco Group vimal@bidco-oil.com 073 3619444 

Zippy Mbati World Food Programme Zippy.Mbati@wfp.org 073 3686863 

E. Muriuki Kenya Fertelizers Associations muriuki@mea.co.ke 073 3700831 

Dr Mutunga J.K KENFAP mutunga@kenfap.org 072 8421114 

Lucy Muchoki PanAAC lmuchoki@panaac.org 072 2510210 

Francis A. Munane CAK info@cak.coop 072 1294885 

Cavin Otieno GIZ cavin.otieno@giz.de 020 4228000 

John Kashangaki SBA consulting jkashangaki@sbaconsulting.co.ke 072 0351131 

Gillad Millo Amiran gilad@amiran.com 073 3660002 

Obadiah Keter Kwetu kiprutoketer@gme.com 0721512853 

Isaac Kosgei PanAAC kipchogekosgei@gmail.com 072 7553981 

R. Sikuku AAK sikuku@agrochem.co.ke 072 2736146 

Nick Mbuvvi Barclays Corporate Director nick.mbuvi@barclays.com 072 2760823 

Akora Vitalis Health Systems& Research vitalis.akora@amref.org 072 931931 

Elijah muhati RegioDevAfrica regiodevafrica@gmail 077 2447781 

Janedrick Lisangari PanAAC jlisangari@panaac.org 072 7683763 

James W. Nyingi PanAAC jwaihenya@panaac.org 072 5599220 

Eric Gido PanAAC egido@panaac.org 072 4415131 

Joyce Ayilo PanAAC joyyerayilo@yahoo.com 072 8818404 

Mercy Githanji Africa Lead mgithanji@field.winrock.org 072 2377590 

Rosemary Kagunda Africa Lead rosemary_kagunda@dai.org 020 520834 

Absent with Apologies 

Rajeev Arora ACTIF Arora.r@actifafrica.com 073 8926224 

Jaswinder Bedi ACTIF jas@bedi.com 073 3636111 

072 2206111 

Bob Bosire Benson and Associates Bensoncpas@yahoo.com 072 2874576 

Betty Maina Kenya Manufacturers 

Association Betty.maina@kam.co.ke 072 2201368

Kenya Agribusiness & Agro-Industry Alliance 

(KAAA)

Kenya Private Sector Breakfast Meeting (1.2Mb ~ 3 - FANRPAN

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