President Ruto Clarifies Reports Of Subsidized Fertilizers Being Donated By Russia

President William Ruto has refuted reports that the subsidized fertilizer being sold by the government at Ksh 2500 per 50-kilogram bag was donated by the Russian government. 

Speaking on Monday, September 11, during the launch of the Central Securities Depository platform in Nairobi, the President said the government has deployed over two hundred and eighty thousand tons of fertilizer to farmers.

“The chronic propagandists and those people who believe in voodoo are telling us that there were some thirty thousand tones of fertilizer I don’t know from where. I want to tell you we have deployed about 280, 000 tonnes of fertilizer about 4.5 million bags by now, and prudently using data and technology we have delivered fertilizer efficiently,” said Ruto.

The Head of State also dismissed allegations that the government added sand to the subsidized fertilizer to increase quantity and make more money from farmers.

“We have used science, we did a survey of all our soils and we have distributed fertilizer that is scientifically tailored for all the souls in various regions and for the different groups using science and not voodoo,” Ruto added.

“Those who are telling us that we have sold I don’t know sand is because they believe in voodoo and we believe in science, they are two different areas.”

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga on Sunday claimed that President Ruto is lying to Kenyans on subsidizing fertilizer saying it was donated by Russia.

"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 posed.

The opposition chief went on to allege that some officials in the Kenya Kwanza government altered the subsidized fertilizer and added sand to increase the quantity.

President Ruto at the same time observed that the Central Securities Depository (CSD) launch represents the intersection of fundamental components of the Kenya Kwanza government. 

"The CSD investor portal and the M- Akiba digital application have freed up access to the opportunity to invest and trade in government securities, enabling people of all walks of life to participate in the securities market, thereby facilitating a bottom-up growth of the sector," said Ruto. 

The President further said the CSD investor portal and mobile app have also delivered inclusion by opening up access to the securities market to everyone, regardless of status, and including many whom the requirement of physical travel and manual transactions presented significant barriers.