The Kenyan government has begun the nationwide distribution of subsidised fertilisers ahead of the April planting season.
The Ministry of Agriculture under the State Department of Agriculture has launched the distribution of over three million bags of 50-kilogram fertilizer to key agricultural regions, including Bomet, Kisii, Kericho, Kakamega, Narok, among other areas.
Speaking in Mombasa on Tuesday, January 13, during the flag-off ceremony, Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh said the government intended to prevent delays in planting and cultivation of essential crops like maize, hence the timely dispatch.
“Today I led the flagging off of the nationwide fertilizer subsidy programme in Mombasa,dispatching three million 50‑kilogramme bags to key agricultural regions including Nyamira,Kisii,North& South Rift,Bungoma, and Kakamega,” the PS said in a statement on his social media pages confirming the distribution.
“This timely intervention will support farmers during the long‑rains planting season, with the programme scaled up to 12.5 million bags throughout the year to guarantee adequate supply and strengthen Kenya’s food security,” he added.
The three million bags already distributed form part of the government’s broader plan to supply 12.5 million bags during the 2026 planting season, a move aimed at enhancing food security and agricultural productivity.
The 50-kilogram bag of fertiliser will be available for registered farmers at a subsidised price of KSh2,500, a notable reduction from around KSh7,000 in 2022.
Once it reaches intended destinations, the farmers will be able to receive the fertilisers through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots, satellite stores, and even authorised agrovet stores in an effort to reduce transport costs to farmers.
In November 2025, President William Ruto announced that the 12.5 million bags would reach farmers in early 2026, noting that the move would double the bags distributed in 2025.
“In 2026, we plan to distribute 12.5 million bags of subsidised fertilisers across all the 1,450 wards, ensuring every farmer has access to affordable inputs,” Ruto stated.
The initiative that is central to Kenya Kwanza’s strategy to transform agriculture, as it anticipates the program will significantly increase maize harvests, as it estimates production will rise from 44 million bags to an estimated 70 million bags.
Since the introduction of subsidised fertiliser, the country has recorded higher food production, lower fertiliser prices, and a drop in the cost of maize flour.
