Deputy President William Ruto returns to Kisii with more goodies

Deputy President William Ruto (left) and Kisii County Governor James Ongwae (right) when they officially opened the Kisii ASK show at Gusii Stadium on 15.7.2016. The Deputy president said the Government will build a Sh50 million nitrogen plant in Kisii to help reduce the cost of Artificial Insemination. (Photo: Eric Abuga/Standard)

Deputy President William Ruto returned to Kisii County with more goodies as part of Jubilee Government’s sustained efforts to secure the Gusii vote and wrestle the region from the Opposition.

The Deputy President has made more than 10 trips to Kisii this year alone and launched several development initiatives including road and electricity projects.

Speaking after officially opening the ASK show at Gusii Stadium yesterday, Ruto who steered clear of politics, said the Jubilee government is keen on bringing tangible development to the region.

In a bid to woo voters, the DP announced plans to construct 20 milk cooling plants in Kisii and Nyamira counties in this financial year. The Deputy President who was accompanied by Kisii Governor James  Ongwae, his deputy Joash Maangi, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett, Members of Parliament (Nyaribari Chache).

Ruto also revealed that the Government will spend Sh400 million to build four mid-level technical institutes in Kisii County. The State he pointed out, through the Ministry of Agriculture will put up a nitrogen plant in Kisii at a cost of between Sh50 million and 60 million.

“We want to ensure the cost of Artificial Insemination goes down to Sh200 from the current Sh3,000 and Sh5,000 in some areas,” said Ruto.

He said the government will procure over 200,000 metric tonnes of various varieties of fertiliser to be supplied to all farmers including those practicing tea and coffee farming.

Kenya, he noted, was experiencing a shortage of over 7,000 tractors but assured farmers that the government had engaged Brazil, India and Korea for the procurement of more farming equipment. Recognising the value of agriculture in the county, the Deputy President put more emphasis on agriculture development as opposed to politics.

“The inputs will help us reduce the cost of farming and increase food production. All farmers will have enough fertiliser for the upcoming planting season,” said Ruto.

Ruto said the only way to make agriculture profitable and attract the youth is through mechanisation and modernisation. It is worth noting that less than 10 per cent of the youth population is engaged in agriculture and the average age of a farmer is 62 years.

“It is not possible to transform this nation unless we start with the agricultural sector through modernisation,” he said.

Early in the day, in the company of Borabu MP Ben Momanyi and former Constitution Implementation Commission Chairman Charles Nyachae, Ruto visited Isoge village, Borabu, Nyamira County where he launched an electricity project.

In a bid to strengthen Jubilee numbers, Ruto has made more than 10 visits to Kisii and Nyamira counties, a zone that overwhelmingly voted for Opposition in the 2014 elections.

And in an effort to retain an Opposition stronghold, CORD leader Raila Odinga also visited Nyamira county twice last month where he held a series of rallies.

Raila asked the community to remain in ODM saying the Jubilee administration had failed to fulfill their pre-election promises. On his part, Governor Ongwae  called on the national to support the county government to build a soapstone industry in Kisii to create more jobs for youth.