The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
The Kitui County Assembly has intensified scrutiny of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock after senior ministry officials appeared before a joint committee to explain the utilization of millions of shillings allocated for the 2025/2026 Agricultural Show programme, despite the event failing to take place as initially scheduled.
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture and Livestock, Dr. Stephen Mbaya, together with senior officials from the ministry, appeared before a joint sitting of the Committees on Appointments, Liaison and Agriculture on August 5 to respond to questions raised by Nguni Ward MCA and Minority Leader Hon. Jeremiah Musee.
The legislators sought detailed explanations on how funds earmarked for the Kitui Agricultural Show and Trade Fair were spent after the annual event was postponed, even though significant public resources had already been committed.
During the session, members of the Assembly questioned the ministry over expenditure incurred before the cancellation of the planned July 2025 show and demanded accountability for every shilling spent under the programme.
Responding to the concerns, Dr. Mbaya explained that preparations for the agricultural show had begun in December 2024. However, the planned venue at Ithookwe Showgrounds was later designated for the construction of an ultra-modern stadium intended to host the 2025 Madaraka Day celebrations.
Although the national celebrations were ultimately moved to Homa Bay after the stadium project failed to meet the required timelines, the County Executive had already resolved to postpone the agricultural show to February 2026.
The Agriculture CECM further informed the committee that, following recommendations from the County Budget and Economic Forum, the county merged the Agricultural Show and Trade Fair with the Kitui International Investors Conference to form the Kitui Agricultural Show, Trade and Investment Expo (KASTIE 2026), which is now scheduled to take place from September 24 to 26, 2026, at Ithookwe Stadium.
On the financial accountability concerns, Dr. Mbaya disclosed that the 2025/2026 budget had initially allocated KSh45 million for agricultural shows and exhibitions. After a supplementary budget adjustment that reallocated KSh3.8 million, the available budget stood at KSh41.2 million.
He told the committee that KSh12.148 million was used to clear pending bills, which the ministry said are treated as a first charge under the Public Finance Management framework. Another KSh8.762 million, he said, had been committed towards mobilizing investors, sponsors, exhibitors, development partners and diplomatic missions ahead of KASTIE 2026.
The ministry maintained that the expenditure covered legitimate preparatory activities, including procurement of seeds, pesticides and farm tools for demonstration farms, stakeholder engagement meetings, fuel, promotional materials, work plans, budgeting processes and exhibitor mobilization, insisting that no funds were diverted to unrelated activities.
Despite the explanations, members of the joint committee insisted on comprehensive documentation to support the expenditure as the Assembly continues its oversight role.
Speaker Kevin Kinengo Katisya, who chaired the sitting, emphasized the need for transparency, prudent use of public funds and stronger collaboration between the County Executive and the County Assembly to ensure approved programmes are implemented as planned.
The Chairperson of the Agriculture Committee also called on the ministry to provide complete records to account for all expenditure incurred under the programme.
The Agriculture Ministry assured the committee that it has established a governance structure comprising a steering committee, technical planning committee, sub-committees and a secretariat to oversee preparations and ensure accountability during the organization of KASTIE 2026.
