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The government has put in place robust measures to tame individuals hell-bent on misappropriating public funds, President William Ruto has revealed.

Ruto said the government is keen on ensuring public resources are used to fund programmes that will transform the lives of Kenyans.

“I want to give you my commitment. In the fight against corruption, there will be no negotiation,” he said.

The President made the remarks yesterday during the first day of his three-day development tour of Meru. He launched a host of development projects in Buuri, Tigania West and Tigania East constituencies.

The Head of State said the government is investing in labour-intensive projects and the digital economy to create jobs and expand opportunities for the youth.

He said the affordable housing programme has created 130,000 jobs, and another 120,000 are earning a living from digital jobs, working for foreign organisations while in Kenya.

President Ruto said the government has negotiated and secured 500,000 jobs for young Kenyans abroad.  “This is the only time in the history of Kenya that the government has clarity on how jobs will be created,” he said.  Ruto also Head of State said the government is supporting farmers to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure the country becomes self-sufficient in food.

He explained that producing enough food would save Kenya the Sh500 billion the government spends every year on imports.

Ruto also revealed that the government has secured enough fertilizer that will retail at Sh2,500 under the subsidised fertilizer programme ahead of the planting season.

“For us to increase productivity, I urge our farmers to double the amount of fertiliser they use,” he added.

He said the government will build nine fresh produce markets and a county aggregation and industrial park in Meru to ensure farmers have a ready market for their produce and opportunities for value addition. The President was accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries among other leaders.