William Ruto Announces Fertilizer Subsidies and Irrigation Expansion

President William Ruto announced a comprehensive plan to support farmers facing crop failures caused by erratic rainfall and climate change. Speaking at a church service in Moiben, Uasin Gishu County, Ruto pledged that the government will lower the prices of fertilizer and certified seeds starting next year to increase production and protect national food security.

These subsidies will target the upcoming short rains season in September and October, as well as the long rains of the following year. To reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture, the president committed to expanding irrigation through the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund. This investment will finance the construction of 50 large dams, 200 medium dams, and 1,000 water harvesting projects.

The administration also plans to provide seedlings for high-value cash crops including avocado, macadamia, and coffee, while organizing support for farmers who suffered total crop loss. In tandem with these subsidies, the government is intensifying a crackdown on counterfeit agricultural supplies. This follows the recent seizure of 3,500 bags of suspected fake fertilizer and the arrest of three individuals in Uasin Gishu County.