President William Ruto has elucidated the benefits accrued from his massive and ambitious food security campaigns, telling Kenyans not to worry about the next meals.
Speaking when he delivered his third State of the Nation Address in Parliament, Ruto said his administration's strategic interventions in agriculture have borne fruit.
"Slowly but surely we are building a food-secure Kenya where families need not worry or worry least about their next meal,'' President Ruto said.
The President said that Kenya currently boasts of substantial national stocks of 47 million bags of 90 kg of maize, which are currently in the stores.
He said there are also in the country's stores 8.8 million 90 kg bags of beans, 10.4 million 90 kg bags of wheat, and 2.1 million 90 kg bags of rice.
The President said has since since February, the government has distributed subsidised fertiliser to 6.5 million registered farmers in 45 counties, helping them to increase their yields.
"This year, we have procured and through e-vouchers, distributed 7.2 million bags of both planting and top dressing fertilizer to boost food production across the country,'' Ruto said.
"This momentum will not only increase our agricultural output but also reduce our reliance on costly food imports, securing a more self-reliant and more prosperous Kenya."
The president said that his approach is rooted in his administration's plan to support production rather than subsidise consumption.
"We have already made food more accessible and more affordable to many households,'' he said.
He said the interventions will see a projected increase in maize production, for example, to a record 70 million 90 kilogramme bags.
"We have also concluded long-term agreements with 11 suppliers of assorted fertiliser so as to make this available all year round,'' he said.
"'Fertiliser for long rainy seasons will be stocked in outlets nationwide, ensuring our farmers are ready to plant, grow, and produce."
The State of the Nation address is an obligation of the Constitution that requires him to update Parliament on three key issues, among them national security.
The President is also obligated to appraise the legislature on all the measures taken by his administration and the progress achieved in the realisation of the national values.
Article 132 of the Constitution requires the President to also once annually update the bicameral house on measures and progress made in fulfilling the international obligations of the republic.
Unlike his last two addresses, this year’s State of the Nation address comes at a time when his administration is under pressure over alleged state-sponsored abductions and messes in key sectors.
