From Public Relations to Public Agriculture: The Impact of Mutahi Kagwe’s Tell-Em PR on His Role as Agriculture CS

In a significant cabinet reshuffle by President William Ruto in late 2024, Mutahi Kagwe transitioned from his high-profile role as Health Cabinet Secretary during the Uhuru Kenyatta era to head the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. This move has brought renewed scrutiny on Kagwe, particularly regarding his longstanding association with Tell-Em Public Relations (PR), one of Kenya’s leading PR agencies he founded in 1999. Here, we delve into how this past might shape his current responsibilities.

The Tell-Em PR Connection

Mutahi Kagwe’s tenure at Tell-Em PR, where he served as chairman before his political appointments, has established him as a figure with deep roots in communication strategy and public perception management. According to Tell-Em’s profile, the agency has been pivotal in executing campaigns for major brands, including Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble, amassing numerous accolades for its work in media relations and overall PR campaigns.

Kagwe’s personal wealth, much of which was accumulated through his business ventures including Tell-Em PR, was disclosed during his vetting for the Agriculture CS position, where he claimed a net worth of around Ksh842 million, attributing it to his “hard work” over four decades.

PR Skills in Agriculture Policy

Kagwe’s experience in PR could significantly enhance the ministry’s communication strategy. The agriculture sector in Kenya often struggles with disseminating information effectively to farmers, stakeholders, and the general public. His skills could lead to more impactful campaigns on policy changes, new agricultural technologies, or educational programs aimed at increasing productivity and sustainability.

His handling of the COVID-19 crisis as Health CS, where he was both criticized and praised for his PR approach, suggests he might bring a similar strategy to agricultural challenges like drought, pestilence, or policy backlash. However, this also raises questions about whether policy might be shaped more by public perception than by technical agricultural needs.

Tell-Em PR’s extensive network could be leveraged to foster partnerships between the government and private sector, potentially accelerating technology transfer, investment, and innovation in agriculture. However, this close relationship with private entities could also lead to perceptions of conflict of interest or favoritism.

Potential Conflicts and Challenges

Given Kagwe’s history with Tell-Em, there’s a potential for conflict of interest, especially if the ministry engages with companies that are or have been clients of the PR firm. His vetting for the Agriculture CS role highlighted his stance on GMOs and vaccines, suggesting a policy of caution which might reflect his PR background of managing public sentiment rather than purely scientific or agricultural considerations.

One of the firm’s clients include Gates Foundation which has been in the forefront of pushing for the GMOs agenda and lately the controversial livestock vaccination that has attracted sharp criticism from Kenyans.

Will Kagwe be able to balance between business (his client Bill Gates) and public policies, this here presents a conflict of interest for the CS.

Tell-Em clients.

Kagwe’s previous role left a mixed legacy, with some viewing his PR tactics during the health crisis as too aggressive or politically motivated. This perception could impact public trust in his new initiatives in agriculture, particularly if there’s a perceived continuation of those tactics.

There’s a risk that policy might lean too much towards what can be sold to the public rather than what is fundamentally needed for agricultural advancement. The balance between effective policy-making and public relations will be critical.

Mutahi Kagwe’s transition from a PR magnate to the head of Kenya’s agriculture sector poses significant challenges in ensuring that agricultural policy is not overshadowed by PR strategy. As he navigates this role, the public and stakeholders will watch closely to see if the “business is our image” ethos of Tell-Em PR translates into a transparent, effective, and unbiased approach to one of Kenya’s most vital sectors.