Uhuru issuing title deeds to Trans Nzoia residents on Thursday. With him is former Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairperson Zipporah Kityony. facebook.com/Uhuru KenyattaGovernment-distributed fertilizer will be more cheaper during the next planting season, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said.
Uhuru said he was aware farmers have been grappling with high fertilizer prices a development he argued affected acreage under food crops particularly in Western and Rift Valley regions.
He was speaking in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County during his tour of Western campaigning for his re-election.
“My office already received complaints about high fertilizer prices,” Uhuru said at a rally hosted at the Kitale Showground also attended by his deputy William Ruto and several senior government officials from the region.
“We will reduce the cost so that more farmers get access and grow food crops to fight food insecurity.”
Kenyans are currently struggling with a high cost of living occasioned by a maize shortage following drought that hit the country between late 2016 and early 2017.
The shortage of the staple has led to an increase in maize flour prices which hit a record Sh153 per two-kilogram packet in April.
Most of the fertilizer consumed by Kenyan farmers is imported. However, government is constructing a fertilizer plant in Eldoret.
Distribution of fertilizer from the industry is expected to cut the product’s cost further.
Some counties in conjunction with foreign investors are also setting up mini fertilizer manufacturing centres.
Currently, a 50-kilogram bag of government subsidized fertilizer distributed at the National Cereals and Produce Board goes at Sh1,800 while licensed retailers sell theirs at between Sh2,300 and Sh2,500.