Group Photo: WPC Local Organizing Committee Delegation with the Hon. CS Mutahi Kagwe, CS Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development(MoALD)
The World Potato Congress (WPC 2026) received a significant boost following strong endorsement from the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Hon. Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, during a high-level briefing held on 20th May 2026 at Kilimo House, Nairobi.
The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for WPC 2026 met the Cabinet Secretary to provide an update on preparations for the global event, which is scheduled to take place from 26th to 30th October 2026 at Sawela Lodges and Convention Centre in Naivasha, Kenya. The congress is expected to mark a historic milestone as the first-ever World Potato Congress to be hosted in Sub-Saharan Africa, attracting more than 1,000 international delegates from over 60 countries, alongside over 1,500 local farmers participating in a dedicated field day.
The LOC delegation comprised representatives from across the agricultural sector, including Dr. Calistus Efukho (Ag. Director General, AFA), Mr. Wachira Kaguongo (CEO, National Potato Council of Kenya), Mr. Chris Gasperi (CEO, FreshCrop Ltd), Dr. Dinah Borus (NPCK), Dr. Kimani Rugendo (Managing Director, Kevian Kenya), Ms. Ashley Gasperi (FreshCrop Ltd), Mr. Godwin Macharia (KALRO), Mr. Kefa Oganda (KEPHIS), Ms. Frida Kiunga (NBA), and Emeritus Kasee (Kevian Kenya), among others.
In his remarks, CS Mutahi Kagwe expressed full government support for the successful delivery of WPC 2026, noting that his engagement would go beyond institutional backing to active participation. He emphasized that the congress must deliver tangible and lasting benefits for Kenya’s potato value chain.
“You have my support and that of the Ministry, not just support in words, but through my direct involvement,” the Cabinet Secretary affirmed during the meeting.
He underscored the importance of positioning the potato sector as a business-driven value chain anchored on innovation, investment, and strong private sector participation. The CS further challenged the organizing committee to clearly define what Kenyan farmers and the broader economy stand to gain from hosting the global congress, stressing that legacy outcomes must be central to the event.
Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Hon. Sen. Mutahi Kagwe
Mr. Wachira Kaguongo (CEO, National Potato Council of Kenya)
Dr. Kimani Rugendo (Managing Director, Kevian Kenya)
Borrowing from discussions at the recent Africa-France/Africa Forward Summit, Hon. Kagwe emphasized that WPC 2026 should deliver measurable impact in terms of knowledge exchange, partnerships, investment opportunities, and market access for farmers and industry players.
He further urged the LOC to intensify awareness creation and strategic communication, particularly through social media platforms, to elevate Kenya’s visibility as a global host. According to the CS, effective communication could also serve as a tool for resource mobilization and stakeholder engagement.
“We must tell the WPC 2026 story and sing our song to the global potato world,” he noted, encouraging proactive global outreach.
On policy and sector advocacy, the Cabinet Secretary called on potato stakeholders, led by the National Potato Council of Kenya, to strengthen their case for public sector support by clearly articulating the economic importance of the potato industry. He highlighted the potential for policy incentives, including consideration of zero-rating imports for processing equipment and packaging materials, drawing parallels with similar support frameworks in the tea sector.
Mr. Chris Gasperi (CEO, FreshCrop Ltd)
Ms. Ashley Gasperi (FreshCrop Ltd)
Dr. Dinah Borus (NPCK)
The meeting reaffirmed government commitment to strengthening Kenya’s potato value chain and positioning the country as a key player in the global potato industry. Stakeholders expressed confidence that the high-level endorsement will accelerate preparations and enhance international visibility for the congress.
With Kenya set to host WPC 2026 for the first time in Sub-Saharan Africa, the event is expected to serve as a major platform for innovation, investment, knowledge exchange, and transformation of the potato sector across the region and globally.
