Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

President William Ruto has made a U-turn and reverted the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) back to the Ministry of Defence barely months after he had placed it under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

According to the President’s Executive Order Number 2 of 2023 which was released on Thursday, November 2, 2023, KMC will now fall under Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale’s docket.

The president also noted that the Duale-led ministry will contribute to the national food security agenda.

State House Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei made the announcement noting that the new order incorporates various changes made to the governance structure.

“Executive Order No. 2 of 2023 also incorporates into the organization of Kenya’s governance structure changes occasioned by new laws enacted by Parliament,” he stated.

“The Executive Order No. 2 of 2023 supersedes Executive Order No. 1 of 2023 issued on 6th of January, 2023,” he added.

The meat processor has been under the Ministry of Agriculture since November 2022, after Ruto reversed former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to place it under the management of Defence.

Until then, the commission was under the Ministry of Defence after Kenyatta made the changes on September 7, 2020.

At the time, Kenyatta stated that the move was meant to deliver the commission from the losses it was incurring and alternatively boost operations.

He also affirmed that the KDF would help streamline the commission’s productivity.

“Recognising the role KMC plays in the economy of the country, we took into account that its revival required a rigorous process. Past administrations have tried to revamp the processor but for obvious reasons, a lot of money went to the drain and our farmers left suffering,” he said.

“It was necessary for the government to get involved deeply in management. The stewardship of KDF will help streamline the commission’s productivity to compete internationally. KMC must reclaim its giant position in the country’s economy,” he added.