Andrew Karanja: Profile of Agriculture CS Nominee Who Replaces Mithika Linturi
President William Ruto has announced the appointment of ten new cabinet secretaries and a candidate for Attorney General for his administration.
Among those appointed is Dr. Andrew Muhia Karanja, who will lead the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
Dr. Karanja brings over 36 years of public sector experience from both local and international settings, specializing in agriculture, rural development, and finance.
He began his career as an extension officer with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
Dr. Karanja earned his degree in Agriculture and a Master’s in Agricultural Economics from the University of Nairobi, followed by a PhD in Development Economics and Policy from Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
He also served as a Planning Officer within the same ministry.
Subsequently, he joined the Coffee Research Foundation (CRF) as a Senior Agricultural Economist and led the Economics Department.
During his eleven-year tenure at CRF, Dr. Karanja contributed to several key organizations, including the Cocoa Board of Ghana, the International Coffee Organisation (ICO), and the Intra-Africa Coffee Organisation.
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At CRF, he participated in numerous committees, task forces, and commissions that drove coffee industry reforms in the 1990s.
In 2002, Dr. Karanja worked as a researcher at Tegemeo Policy Research Institute, focusing on policy research related to dairy industry liberalization among other areas.
He is currently an independent consultant in rural development, agriculture, project evaluation, and impact assessment.
His recent consultancy work includes projects funded by Kenya, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, USAID, the European Union (EU), private sector companies, and NGOs.
Dr. Karanja has authored over 26 papers and book chapters published in both international and local journals and has received several awards and fellowships.
In his professional role, Dr. Karanja has traveled extensively across Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
This nomination follows President Ruto’s recent decision to dismiss his entire cabinet, except for Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
Andrew Karanja: Profile of Agriculture CS Nominee Who Replaces Mithika Linturi
