Ruto cuts fertiliser Price to Sh2,000 in new relief for farmers

President William Ruto arrive for a church service at A.I.C. Makutano in Taita Taveta County on Sunday, August 23, 2026. [PCS]

President William Ruto has announced a fresh reduction in the price of subsidised fertiliser, cutting the cost of a 50-kilogramme bag from Sh2,500 to Sh2,000 as the government seeks to encourage farmers to increase food production.

Speaking during a church service at A.I.C. Makutano in Taita Taveta County on Sunday, August 23, Ruto said the new fertiliser price would take effect within two weeks. He also announced a 50 per cent subsidy on maize seeds from September, reducing the price from about Sh300 to Sh150.

“I am making an announcement to all our farmers that from next month, in the next two weeks, we are going to subsidise maize seeds by 50% and reduce the cost of fertiliser by another 500 shillings,” Ruto said.

The President said the subsidies would apply to farmers across the country, with public funds set aside to support the programme. He urged farmers to take advantage of the expected October short rains to increase food production and strengthen national food security.

“I am urging our farmers to use the rain that is coming so that we can grow  more food and make sure that we stabilise our food security in the Republic of Kenya,” he said.

The latest announcement comes against the backdrop of government efforts to make agricultural inputs more affordable. The subsidised fertiliser price has previously been reduced significantly, with the government arguing that cheaper inputs would lower production costs and enable farmers to plant more acreage.

However, the new measures also come amid concerns over food shortages following poor rainfall and crop failure in some areas. The government has announced plans to import 25 million 90-kilogramme bags of maize to replenish national reserves and improve food availability.

The move has raised questions about the balance between boosting local production and relying on imports to meet immediate food needs. Farmers are also facing uncertainty over weather conditions, with forecasts pointing to potentially above-average rainfall from October, raising the risk of flooding in vulnerable areas.

Ruto also used the occasion to address education funding, saying Sh18 billion in school capitation had already been disbursed ahead of schools reopening. He accused political opponents of spreading misinformation over the funds.

On higher education, the President said a proposed new university and TVET funding model would allow qualified students to pursue courses of their choice, with the government paying according to the course for which a learner qualifies, if Parliament passes the necessary legislation.

Ruto further said his administration had hired 100,000 teachers over the past four years and would employ more than 20,000 additional teachers next year to address shortages.

The fertiliser and seed subsidies are expected to provide relief to farmers ahead of the planting season. Their success, however, will depend on timely distribution, availability of inputs and favourable weather, as the government seeks to reverse declining production and stabilise food prices.