Principal Secretary for Livestock Development and Chair of the Agriculture, Rural & Urban Development (ARUD) Sector, Hon. Jonathan Mueke, joined Cabinet Secretary Hon. John Mbadi and other senior leaders during the Public Sector Hearings as preparations for the 2026/27 Financial Year and the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) Budget officially kicked off.
The hearings, which bring together government institutions, stakeholders and the public, are a key step in shaping national priorities. In his address, PS Mueke underscored the pivotal role played by the ARUD sector in boosting food security, expanding agricultural value chains, strengthening rural development, and promoting sustainable urban growth.
Mueke noted that the sector remains a cornerstone of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), driving efforts to increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and support farmers through improved infrastructure and modern production systems. He emphasized that investments in the sector will continue to stimulate job creation, economic resilience and equitable regional development.
abinet Secretary Mbadi echoed the importance of collaborative planning across ministries and departments to ensure that national budget allocations reflect the needs and aspirations of Kenyans. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to aligning resources with high-impact programmes that will deliver tangible socio-economic outcomes.
The leaders applauded the public for actively participating in the hearings, assuring Kenyans that the budgeting process will remain transparent, inclusive and results-driven. As the sector hearings proceed, ARUD institutions are expected to refine proposals that will guide Kenya’s agricultural and rural transformation over the next financial year and beyond.
