Ruto Pledges to Lower Unga and Fertilizer Prices Next Week

President-elect William Ruto has promised to reduce the cost of maize flour and fertilizer in the coming days.

Ruto, who will be sworn in as the fifth president on Tuesday, said new unga and fertilizer prices will be announced next week after he held consultations with various stakeholders.

“We have had meetings with those in the Ministry of Agriculture and we will announce new fertilizers prices that we would have reduced by next week. We have started a journey of changing the agriculture sector,” Ruto said.

“Already I have had talks with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture so that we can work on the prices of Unga and next week I will announce to the cereal farmers the new fertilizer prices.”

Speaking at an interdenominational thanksgiving service at Maua Stadium in Meru County on Sunday, Ruto said reduced fertilizer prices will boost the agricultural sector which is the backbone of Kenya’s economy.

“Right now, they are buying fertilizers at Sh6,500 but we will give them new prices so that they can produce the agricultural products which will help reduce the maize prices,” he added.

During his campaigns, Ruto pledged to lower the cost of agricultural inputs and do away with brokers and cartels who have been exploiting farmers.

He has also promised cheaper loans to farmers to help them meet the costs of production and provide ready markets for their produce.