President William Ruto has appeared to take a veiled swipe at former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, suggesting he betrayed his duties by siding with cartels instead of helping farmers access affordable fertiliser.

Speaking on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Meru during the 10th Annual Dairy Farmers Field Day at the ASK Grounds, Ruto praised progress in the coffee sector but warned that dishonest individuals had slowed down agricultural reforms.

“Mwaka huu, kahawa ile ilikuwa inauzwa 65 shillings kwa kilo moja, mwaka huu ilikuwa shilingi 100, 110, ikisonga mbele,” he said.

Translation: “This year, coffee was selling at KSh65 per kilo. This year, it has risen to KSh100, Ksh110, and it’s still improving.”

The president said that despite the progress, some leaders he had trusted ended up working with brokers and cartels, frustrating efforts to help farmers.

“Na mimi nataka niwahakikishie, hiyo maneno ya kilimo nataka nihakikishe wakora wote nitawafukuza, mkulima aweze kuweka pesa kwa mfuko wake,” Ruto said.

Translation: “I want to assure you that in agriculture, I will chase out all the crooks so that the farmer can put money in their pocket.”

“Na wale wakora wote, hata wakiwa na marafiki kiasi gani, nyinyi mnanielewa watu wa Meru. Si mnajua kuna watu wengine nilipatia kazi wakashindwa? Wakaenda kuungana na cartels?”

Translation: “And all those crooks, no matter how many friends they have, you people of Meru understand. You know there are people I gave jobs, and they failed? They ended up joining cartels?”

Hint at Linturi fallout

He went on to accuse them of engaging in side deals while neglecting core duties such as fertiliser distribution:

“Wakaenda kuuza mambo ingine badala ya kupatiana mbolea.”

Translation: “They went to sell other things instead of distributing fertiliser.”

Ruto’s remarks come after Linturi was sacked in 2024 following a nationwide uproar over fake fertiliser that was sold to unsuspecting farmers under a state programme.

Though Ruto did not mention Linturi by name, the reference was clear, especially to Meru locals, the former CS’s home region. Linturi has since aligned himself with former DP Rigathi Gachagua, and the two have formed the Democratic Change Party (DCP) after breaking away from Kenya Kwanza.

The president ended his speech by reaffirming his commitment to accountability and pushing Kenya forward.

“Mimi nataka niwaeleze, hii Kenya tunasongesha mbele.”