Raila Questions Ruto’s Fertilizer Cost Reduction Promises
Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has criticized President William Ruto for his initiative to increase food production through subsidized fertilizer.
Speaking at a roadside rally in Magena, Kisii County, on Sunday, Raila claimed that Ruto is misleading Kenyans into believing that he is subsidizing the fertilizer, even though the Russian government donated it.
“Ruto is lying to Kenyans that he has brought down the cost of fertilizer to help farmers. That fertilizer was given for free by the Russian government, but now he is selling it at Ksh2,500. Where does that money go?” Raila questioned.
He continued by claiming that the subsidized fertilizer had been adulterated with sand to increase its quantity and assist corrupt government officials in making more money off of unwitting Kenyans.
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“They added sand to the fertilizer to increase its quantity. The agricultural functions were devolved and should be left to the county governments to handle them. Stop taking away functions of the county governments, instead, send money to the counties for them to run their operations smoothly,” Raila added.
In addition, he criticized the national government for requesting county governments to fund its initiatives, claiming that governors are prohibited by the constitution from carrying out their duties.
Raila, accompanied by Kisii County Governor Simba Arati, asserted that Kisii, along with other counties whose governors were elected on an ODM platform, is an ODM zone.
In carrying out its mandate, he stated that the national government should respect the preferences of the electorate and adhere to the American system of government.
On August 2, 2023, President Ruto announced that the price of a 50-kilogram container of fertilizer would be reduced from Ksh.3,500 to Ksh.2,500.
“At this price, we expect a significantly higher uptake of fertilizer. Since fertilizer is the game-changer of agricultural productivity, this should translate to higher production in the next planting season,” said the Head of State said, encouraging farmers to use the fertilizer to increase yields in the coming seasons.
Raila Questions Ruto’s Fertilizer Cost Reduction Promises