The County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Livestock, Dr. Stephen Mbaya, and his team yesterday 5th August, 2026 appeared before a joint sitting of the Committees on Appointments, Liaison and Agriculture to respond to a statement sought by Nguni Ward MCA who is also the Minority Leader, Hon. Jeremiah Musee, on the utilization of funds allocated for the Kitui Agricultural Show and Trade Fair for the 2025/2026 financial year.
The joint sitting, chaired by the Speaker, sought clarification on why the Agricultural Show was not held as initially planned despite substantial budgetary allocations and expenditure incurred under the programme. In his response, Dr. Mbaya explained that the County had begun preparations for the July 2025 Agricultural Show and Trade Fair in December 2024. However, the Ithookwe Showgrounds were earmarked for development into an ultra-modern stadium to host the 2025 National Madaraka Day celebrations. Although the celebrations were eventually hosted in Homa Bay after the infrastructure works could not be completed on time, the County Executive Committee had already resolved to postpone the Agricultural Show to February 2026.
The CECM further explained that following advice from the County Budget and Economic Forum, the Agricultural Show and Trade Fair was merged with the Kitui International Investors Conference to create the Kitui Agricultural Show, Trade and Investment Expo — KASTIE 2026. The event is scheduled for 24th to 26th September 2026 at Ithookwe Stadium.
On the financial aspect, Dr. Mbaya told the committee that the 2025/2026 annual budget had allocated Kshs.45 million for shows and exhibitions. Following a reallocation of Kshs.3.8 million under the first supplementary budget, Kshs.41.2 million remained available. Out of this amount, Kshs.12.148 million was used to settle pending bills, which the ministry said are treated as a first charge under the Public Finance Management framework. A further Kshs.8.762 million relates to claims arising from mobilization and engagement of partners, sponsors, investors, development partners and diplomatic missions in preparation for KASTIE 2026.
The ministry also explained that expenditure incurred included preparation of demonstration farm materials, procurement of seeds, pesticides and farm tools, production of investor and exhibitor mobilization materials, fuel for preparations, stakeholder meetings, development of work plans and budgets, and production of promotional materials. Dr. Mbaya maintained that the expenditure was directly related to preparations for the agricultural and investment expo and that no funds were used for purposes unrelated to the programme.
The Speaker, Hon. Kevin Kinengo Katisya who chaired the sitting, emphasized the need for proper accountability and prudent utilization of public resources, while also stressing the importance of cooperation between the County Executive and the Assembly in ensuring that approved programmes are implemented effectively.
The Chairperson of the Agriculture Committee similarly underscored the need for the ministry to provide clear documentation on the expenditure and ensure that all funds allocated for the programme are properly accounted for, as the committee continued to scrutinize the ministry’s response.
The ministry assured the committee that a governance structure comprising a steering committee, technical planning committee, sub-committees and a secretariat had been established to coordinate the preparations and ensure accountability and successful delivery of KASTIE 2026.
