Nairobi, Kenya — Mutahi Kagwe has issued a stark warning to global investors and developed nations, declaring that failure to finance climate-smart agriculture in Africa could trigger widespread disruption across global food systems.
Speaking during the 3rd Climate Change Global Business Summit on Africa in Nairobi, the Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary shifted the narrative from vulnerability to urgency — positioning Africa not as a passive victim of climate change, but as the frontline of global food security.
In a hard-hitting keynote address, Kagwe warned that climate change is no longer a distant threat but an active force dismantling traditional agricultural systems across Kenya.
“Climate shocks are no longer future risks — they are present disruptions. If agriculture in Africa fails, global food systems will feel the shock,” he cautioned.
Kenya’s heavy dependence on rain-fed agriculture — which accounts for 98 percent of farming — has left millions vulnerable to erratic weather patterns. The country has already endured five consecutive failed rainy seasons between 2020 and 2023, pushing approximately 4.4 million people into food insecurity and resulting in the loss of over 2.5 million livestock.
Despite intermittent improvements, the crisis remains far from over. In 2026, parts of the country continue to face a dual threat of extreme flooding and prolonged drought, with more than two million Kenyans currently in urgent need of food assistance and livestock support.
Kagwe used the international platform to amplify Africa’s demand for a stronger voice in shaping global climate responses, criticizing what he described as externally driven solutions that fail to reflect local realities.
“There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Climate change is a lived experience for our farmers. The answers must come from the ground, not from boardrooms in Brussels, New York or Paris,” he asserted.
In a pointed rebuke of existing global climate frameworks, Kagwe called for the strict enforcement of the polluter pays principle, urging developed economies to move beyond pledges and deliver tangible, accountable financing to support climate adaptation in vulnerable regions.
The summit, which brought together policymakers, investors, and climate experts from across the world, comes at a time when Africa is increasingly demanding equitable climate action — not only as a matter of justice, but as a necessity for safeguarding global food systems.
As climate volatility intensifies, Kenya’s message is clear: investing in Africa’s agricultural resilience is no longer optional — it is a global imperative.
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