The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has invited Kenyans to give their views on the Draft Crops (Horticultural Crops) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, which seek to strengthen the development and regulation of the country’s multibillion-shilling horticulture sector.
The proposed changes, published in line with Section 40 of the Crops Act, 2013, are meant to better support farmers, traders and other value chain players as the industry continues to grow.
In a public notice, AFA said the draft regulations are now available on its website and called on Kenyans to take part in the review process as required by Article 10(2)(a) of the Constitution and the Statutory Instruments Act, 2013.
“The main objective of the draft Crops (Horticultural Crops) (Amended) Regulations, 2025 is to facilitate the development, promotion and regulation of the horticulture sub-sector to the benefit of the value chain actors,” the notice read in part.
Members of the public have 14 days from the date of the announcement to submit written comments. Submissions can be delivered to the Agriculture and Food Authority offices at Tea House along Naivasha Road in Nairobi or sent via email to [email protected].
To widen public participation, AFA has organized a series of physical forums across the country beginning December 5, 2025. The meetings, all scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m., will kick off in Nairobi at the Kenya School of Government in Kabete.
They will then move to the Coast region on December 8 at Mombasa Beach Hotel, while on the same day, stakeholders in the North Rift and Western regions will convene at Eldoret National Polytechnic.
The final sessions will take place on December 10, with the South Rift forum set for Hotel Waterbuck in Nakuru and the Nyanza region forum scheduled for Kisumu Hotel. These meetings are expected to give farmers, traders and other stakeholders an opportunity to share their views on the proposed horticultural regulations.
AFA has also uploaded key documents—including the full draft regulations and a public feedback form—to its website to guide discussions during the forums.
The Draft Crops (Horticultural Crops) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 outline a comprehensive framework for regulating Kenya’s horticulture sector—from production to processing, marketing, importation and exportation.
The Regulations apply to all horticultural crops grown, processed, marketed, imported, or exported in Kenya, and are anchored in the need to professionalize the industry, enforce food safety, and streamline oversight.
Their primary objective is to ensure that players in the value chain meet quality and safety standards while reducing duplication of roles among different regulatory bodies. They also seek to improve productivity, promote orderly marketing, enhance traceability, and strengthen coordination across the entire horticulture value chain.
A significant portion of the draft regulations focuses on production and quality assurance, including strict registration requirements for nurseries, mother blocks, growers, dealers, and processors.
To operate legally, nurseries must meet detailed standards relating to sanitation, structure, water quality, sourcing of planting materials, record-keeping and traceability. Grower and dealer associations must register with the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) and comply with the sector’s code of conduct.
The Regulations also set out mandatory conditions for handling, grading, packaging, transportation, and storage of produce to ensure compliance with national and international food safety standards.
Inspectors—appointed by AFA and county governments—are empowered to audit farms, nurseries, packhouses and processors, and to certify compliance. Non-compliance can lead to suspension, revocation of licences, or destruction of unsafe produce.
The draft also introduces a strengthened licensing framework for importers, exporters, clearing agents, processors and international buyers, each required to meet rigorous documentation, traceability and inspection requirements.
Import and export consignments must undergo product testing, inspection, and certification before approval. Dealers must declare their sources of produce, maintain detailed records, and implement withdrawal or recall systems for food safety incidents.
The Regulations further create an industry pricing committee to recommend minimum farm-gate prices for horticultural commodities. Additionally, levies are imposed on exported and imported horticultural products to support regulatory operations and sector development.
