Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua yesterday downplayed their differences, instead stressing on the need to unite the country.

Speaking during the ninth Annual Dairy Farmers Day celebrations at the Meru ASK showground, Ruto steered clear of the prevailing political onslaught on his deputy by politicians said to be his allies, instead calling for unity and togetherness to drive the much-needed national development.

Yesterday’s visit to the Mt Kenya region by the president and the deputy president came against the backdrop of a sustained onslaught on the latter which culminated in MPs debating his conduct in Parliament on Wednesday.

Among those perceived to be leading the onslaught against Gachagua include leader of Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, both Ruto’s close allies.

It was, therefore, expected the President and his deputy would use yesterday’s event to set the records straight about their relationship.

But addressing the audience yesterday, Ruto steered clear of the debate, instead calling for the country’s unity.

“Let us unite so that we can take this country forward,” the president said.

Gachagua on his part used the occasion to proclaim his love and support for the president’s development agenda.

“You see, during election we elected wisely. Now let us pray for and support the president so that he is able to fulfill all the developmental projects we promised Kenyans,” said Gachagua.

The DP affirmed that Mt Kenya is ‘solidly’ behind his boss and the bottom-up economic transformation agenda.

Huge budgets

“Our duty is to support our president so that he can initiate development projects across the country. We are happy here in Meru because the president we voted for continues to visit us,’’ Gachagua said, adding: “We love the president; don’t we? Aren’t we happy that he has come here in Meru to launch projects?”

Ruto dwelt on the milestones made in the agriculture sector, saying the government has allocated huge budgets to the sector aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and enhancing farmers’ earnings.

He said the subsidised fertiliser programme has met the expectations of farmers by enhancing agricultural productivity, leading to a reduction in food costs and the overall cost of living.

He said maize production has subsequently increased from 44 million bags in 2022 to 67 million bags last year, adding that the rise in productivity has been consistent in all regions. “The production of maize, coffee, tea, avocado and macadamia has also increased. That was the plan we agreed on because you wanted us to manage our agricultural sector prudently,” he said.

Ruto said the government will continue to support farmers and implement more measures that increase productivity and earnings.

Present were governors Kawira Mwangaza (host), Cecily Mbarire (Embu) and Mohamed Adan Khalif (Mandera), Cabinet Secretaries Mithika Linturi (Agriculture), Simon Chelugui (Cooperatives and Micro and Small Enterprise) and Kithure Kindiki (Interior and Administration of National Government), MPs and MCAs.

The President said the government has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the dairy sector by allocating an additional Sh2 billion in the next financial year starting on July 1.

This funding, he said, will boost dairy cooperatives, ensuring they offer better prices, pay farmers on time and enhance access to credit.

Additionally, he said the government has allocated Sh10 billion to the subsidised fertiliser programme to ensure that farmers’ productivity continues to improve.

Quality milk

The President urged members of Parliament to expedite the passing of the Finance Bill to unlock the funds.

He directed the Ministry of Agriculture to reduce the cost of sexed-up semen from Sh3,000 to Sh2,000 to ensure that farmers access quality and affordable breeds.

He said the government will vaccinate all cattle in the country to ward off killer diseases and ensure that the country produces quality milk and meat that meet international standards. “We have an opportunity to expand our exports to the international market. However, there have been complaints that our milk does not meet the required standards.”

The President said the government is strengthening the Agricultural Financial Cooperation to offer farmers low-interest loans.