Ruto announces 50pc subsidy on maize seeds, Ksh500 fertiliser price cut

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President William Ruto has announced a further reduction in the cost of subsidised fertiliser and maize seeds to ease the burden on farmers as they prepare to plant ahead of rains set to start in October.

The President said a 50kg bag of subsidised fertiliser will now retail at Ksh2,000, down from the current Ksh2,500, while the price of maize seeds will be reduced by half.

“From next month, we are going to subsidise maize seed by 50 per cent and reduce the cost of fertiliser by another Ksh500 so that we can encourage our farmers to use the rain that is coming to grow more food,” he said at the African Inland Church (AIC) Makutano in Taveta Constituency, Taita-Taveta County, where he attended a Sunday service.

He pointed out that the failure of the May-August long rains in the agricultural-rich parts of the country, including the North Rift, had led to substantial crop failure and hence the need to cushion farmers and enable them to take advantage of the coming rains.

Present were Taita-Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime, Senator Johnes Mwaruma and MPs John Bwire (Taveta), Peter Shake (Mwatate) and Lydia Haika (Woman Rep).

On education, President Ruto also announced that the Government has released Ksh18 billion in third term capitation funds to ensure seamless continuation of learning activities.

“Those spreading lies that schools are in debt due to lack of funds are behind schedule. From January this year, schools have been receiving funding before they open,” he said.

The President noted that the Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, that is before Parliament, will create equity in access to higher education in the country.

“Our learners will no longer be judged by the ability of their parents to pay for university, but according to their ability to study whatever courses they qualify for. The Government will pay for everything,” he said.

To solve the longstanding land issues at the Coast region, President Ruto said the Government will in the coming months issue 500,000 title deeds to residents, including 45,000 in Taita-Taveta County.

“Survey work is going on and I will return here in September to issue title deeds from Taita-Taveta to Lamu so that residents can have ownership documents of their land,” he said.

The President said the Government is investing Ksh17 billion in Affordable Housing Programme projects in the county, creating job opportunities for thousands of youth in the county.

He assured the residents that road projects in the county will not stall, but will be completed on time for the benefit of county residents.

He cited the 65km Ilasit-Rombo-Njukini-Taveta road linking Kajiado and Taita-Taveta counties, 25km Cess-Rekeke-Lake Jipe, 55km Mto Mwagodi-Dawida-Mbale-Wundanyi-Bura Junction, and Voi-Sagala and Taveta-Eldoro corridors as projects that are opening up Taita-Taveta County and boosting transport and agriculture.

On health, President Ruto commended Governor Mwadime for encouraging residents to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA), pointing out that 245,000 residents of the county population of 340,000 – 73 per cent – have enrolled, placing it number eight nationally in registration.

He also announced that KSh950 million has been paid to health facilities in the county over the past one and half years for the services they have provided to residents.

The President castigated leaders who keep misleading Kenyans that SHA is not working, saying they are not sincere.

“Those who lie that SHA is not working have either not bothered to register or because they enjoy private premium insurance,” he said.

At the same time, he pointed out that the Government will upgrade Taveta Hospital from Level 3 to Level 4, and equip it with modern machines under the National Equipment Services Programme.

President Ruto urged Kenyans to shun leaders who seek to divide them on ethnic lines, or those selling bankrupt political ideologies.

“Ask them to show you what they have done for the people with the power and the offices they have held in this country. They should not just be talking about me,” he said.

Also at the function were former Taita Taveta Governor John Mruttu, former Woman Rep Joyce Lay and MCAs, among others.

Reporting originally appeared via KBC Digital. Read the full source for additional context.