Ruto promises cheaper fertiliser to boost food production after crop failure

Speaking at ACK Church Moiben in Uasin Gishu County, Ruto said many farmers had lost their crops after the rains failed.

He urged them to take advantage of the short rains expected from this month through December to resume farming and secure the country's food supply.

The President said that from next year he would reduce the prices of both fertiliser and seeds, urging farmers to produce more to avert hunger.

"The government will intervene to ensure farmers produce more," Ruto said.

Ruto also defended his plan to launch Vision 2060, saying Vision 2030, introduced by former President Mwai Kibaki, was coming to an end, making it the right time for a national dialogue on Kenya's future development anchored in law.

"Kibaki's Vision 2030 was launched before the 2010 Constitution, and my Vision 2060 will enable us to operationalise chapters of the 2010 Constitution," Ruto said.

He said the long-term plan required a national dialogue in which Kenyans agreed on the way forward, adding that it could not be done in secrecy and calling on citizens to submit their views.

The President hit out at opposition leaders opposed to the plan, questioning why they would reject public participation and insisting the initiative was not tied to the 2027 General Election. He accused the opposition of lacking a vision for the country.