Editor's Review

The first batch of 17,840 bags carried by Kenya Railways wagons is destined for Nakuru County. 

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday, February 3, flagged off bags of cheap fertilizer destined for the country's agricultural breadbaskets.

Speaking when he saw off the train transporting the subsidized fertilizers upcountry at Mombasa Railway Terminus, the DP said the government has hastened the distribution of the affordable farm input so that farmers could access them in time for the planting season set to start next month.

Mr Gachagua noted that they expected most of the farmers in the 12 pilot counties to get the fertilizers by mid next month.

 "The administration is focused on boosting agricultural productivity to ensure the cost of food comes down and ultimately we reduce the cost of living," he stated. 

The first batch of 17,840 bags carried by Kenya Railways wagons is destined for Nakuru County while another 17,840 bags are headed to Webuye in Bungoma.

Other counties set to benefit from the subsidy programme are Narok, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Migori, Kakamega, Bomet, Kericho, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Nandi.


The government plans to distribute at least 6 million bags of subsidized fertilizers as it aims to significantly reduce the cost of production of staple foods such as maize and other cereals.

Farmers will buy the fertilizers at a reduced cost of Sh3, 500 per bag. 

“We ask our farmers to take advantage of this programme which aims at increasing production in their farms. The price of unga will come down. So far it has been reducing and we expect the prices to go down farther,” added the DP.