Barely 24 hours after his reassignment to the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is already facing mounting public expectations.

The senator, who was this week moved from the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) as part of changes within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has been inundated with messages from Kenyans urging him to champion issues affecting farmers, fishers and rural communities.

The reshuffle also saw Sifuna lose his position as Senate Deputy Minority Whip. Yet rather than diminishing his public profile, the move appears to have opened a new avenue for direct engagement with citizens.

Many of the appeals shared by Sifuna on social media focused on challenges facing the country's agriculture and fisheries sectors, from fish farming and the blue economy to onion imports and preparations for the forecast El Niño rains.

One of the first messages urged the senator to focus on the blue economy.

"Morning Ndugu, karibu sana Blue Economy. While our legislators are singing broadbase, the lake region economy is being sabotaged. No one is talking about it. I hope you can amplify this and challenge some of our leaders."

The Cage Fish Farmers Association of Kenya also appealed to Sifuna to support the repeal of the five per cent fish-landing levy.

The association argues that the charge unfairly burdens fish farmers while giving an advantage to imported fish. It also contends that the levy functions as a tax on production that has no equivalent in other livestock sectors.

According to the group, the High Court upheld the Fisheries Management and Development (Aquaculture) Regulations, 2024, on June 29. However, it maintains that the court was not informed of earlier discussions between industry representatives and the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs acknowledging the need for reforms.

"The levy is being presented to the public as routine regulatory administration. It is not. It is a gross-output tax on a strategic industry," the association said.

Elsewhere, a farmer from Meru appealed for intervention over the influx of cheaper onions from neighbouring Tanzania, saying local growers were struggling to compete.

"Hello Sifuna. My name is Mrs Mwenda. Just to let you know, Meru is holding on you," the message read.

Another Kenyan urged the senator to prioritise disaster preparedness ahead of the projected 2026–2027 El Niño season.

"Hit the road in the Agriculture committee on this issue of El Niño. It's a looming disaster."

Responding to the flood of requests, Sifuna joked that Kenyans had wasted no time assigning him work before he had even settled into his new role.

"Kenyans hawachelewi… mliskia nimetumwa Agriculture/Fisheries Committee mshajaza intray kabla hata nijue kamati hukaa wapi. Si rice, si sukari, si vitunguu... eish! Shida ziko hii Kenya si ni mingi."

His remarks prompted further discussion online, with supporters arguing that the transfer could strengthen his national profile by bringing him closer to issues affecting ordinary Kenyans.

"God's plan is never imperfect. The enemy just made you popular with local farmers and upcountry voters," one supporter wrote.

Another added: "Now you've been taken to where you can address the real mwananchi – the small-scale farmer."

Whether the committee assignment ultimately boosts Sifuna's political standing remains to be seen. For now, however, his new role has clearly struck a chord with Kenyans eager to see long-standing agricultural challenges receive greater attention in Parliament.