MWE Correspondent
Kenya’s President William Ruto has announced an expanded nationwide fertilizer support programme for 2026, saying the government will distribute 12.5 million bags of affordable fertilizer to farmers as part of efforts to strengthen food security and increase agricultural productivity.
Delivering his national address on 20 November, the President said subsidised farm inputs have already transformed harvest levels across the country. According to government figures, national maize production rose from 44 million bags in 2022 to 67 million bags in 2024, marking one of the strongest surges recorded in recent years. With favourable weather and improved access to inputs, authorities expect the country to reach an estimated 70 million bags by the end of this year.
Ruto said the fertilizer programme remains a key pillar in the government’s broader strategy to revitalise the agriculture sector—an area he described as central to Kenya’s social and economic stability. He noted that the price of a 50-kilogram bag of fertilizer had previously reached around KSh 7,500, placing a heavy burden on farmers, but the subsidised programme has since reduced the cost to about KSh 2,500, allowing more households to resume large-scale planting.
The President also highlighted the use of the e-voucher system ([E-voucher system]), which he said has made fertilizer distribution more transparent and efficient. More than 6.5 million farmers are now registered under the digital platform, which tracks distribution and prevents misuse of the subsidy.
Agricultural analysts say these reforms align with Kenya’s long-term ambitions to strengthen local food production and reduce dependence on imports. However, they note that fertilizer alone is not enough.
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They have urged the government to continue investing in rural infrastructure, irrigation systems and extension services to ensure farmers can fully benefit from the programme.
Ruto added that the gains achieved so far have helped lower the retail price of basic food commodities. For instance, the price of a two-kilogram packet of maize flour—considered a staple in most households—has fallen from around KSh 250 in 2022 to an average of KSh 130 this year, providing relief to millions of consumers.
The upcoming 2026 distribution is expected to reinforce Kenya’s journey toward sustainable food security ([Food security]) and support the country’s broader agricultural transformation agenda, which includes promoting resilient farming practices and reducing reliance on rain-fed agriculture.
Experts say the initiative also ties into regional commitments under the African Union’s agricultural development framework ([African Union agriculture]), which encourages member states to adopt policies that improve productivity and protect vulnerable populations.
