Ruto: Ksh18B has been set aside to keep fertilizer prices low
By Sharon Atieno, June 22, 2026President William Ruto has announced that the government has set aside Ksh18 billion in the 2026 budget to sustain subsidised fertilizer prices, saying the move is aimed at lowering production costs and increasing earnings for millions of Kenyan farmers.
Speaking on Monday, June 22, 2026, during the launch of the Coffee Revival Programme in Kirinyaga County, Ruto said his administration had significantly increased funding for fertilizer support, arguing that affordable farm inputs remain central to transforming the agriculture sector.
Ksh18 billion for cheaper fertilizer
The Head of State said the government had deliberately allocated more money this year to ensure farmers continue accessing fertilizer at reduced prices compared to previous years.
“Nimeeleza,watu wa KPCU, washirika yote kwa sababu katika bajeti mm naweka kidole kesho iwe sheria, nimeongeza pesa ili mbolea nafuu ipatikane ,kesho mimi natia sahihi naweka pesa ili kuhakikisah mbolea nafuu ipatikane. Katika bajeti nimeongeza pesa ya kuhakikisha kuwa mbolea ya bei nafuu inapatikana,kesho natia saini ya pesa bilioni kumi na nane ipatikane ili ihakikishe mbolea imerudi chini. mwaka 2022 hakukuwa na shilingi hata moja ya kukuza mbolea. Ruto said.
He noted that lowering fertilizer and agrochemical costs was part of a broader strategy to improve productivity and guarantee better returns for farmers across the country.
“Tunapunguza garama ya mbolea na madawa kwa bei nafuu ndio ihakikishe wakulima wanapata mazao, lengo moja ni kuhakikisha mkulima anapata pesa,” he stated.
Government targets higher farmer earnings
Ruto said reforms in the agriculture sector are focused on ensuring farmers increase production while earning more from their crops, adding that coffee farming expansion will now target new suitable regions, including parts of the Rift Valley.
The president further revealed that the government has intensified farmer registration efforts to improve planning and service delivery.
“Nilisema tutawasajili wakulima ndio tuwajue.Leo wakulima orodha kamili ni milioni saba nukta tatu wamesajiliwa.mpango ule wa mbolea unasumbua wakulima,niliwaeleza nitaweka pesa ya serikali.,” he added.
Coffee revival push in Kirinyaga
The announcement came as Ruto toured Kirinyaga alongside Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to launch the coffee revival programme aimed at increasing farmer incomes and revitalising Kenya’s struggling coffee sector.
The visit forms part of the government’s wider plan to strengthen agricultural production while cushioning farmers from the high cost of farm inputs, with fertilizer subsidies remaining one of the administration’s key interventions in the sector.