Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, and Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria raised Ksh104 million for Kenyans grappling with hunger and drought.
The duo attended a fundraising organised by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), seeking to channel the funds to its humanitarian initiative.
In a statement, Gachagua confirmed the event raised over Ksh100 million, adding that the government was working on promoting food security in the country.
"This is part of KAM's Initiative of Environment, Social & Governance. This response was overwhelming, raising Ksh104 Million to help in this course.
'Moving forward, we are driving a robust, sustainable and long-lasting solution to drive Kenya into an agricultural powerhouse and food-secure by bringing more of the cultivatable land under irrigation as envisioned in our manifesto,' he stated.
Gachagua was also accompanied by EAC CS, Rebecca Miano, and her Cooperative counterpart Simon Chelugui.
The KMA humanitarian initiative also brought on board notable companies in the manufacturing and banking industries.
KAM chair, Rajan Shah, explained that the money would help Kenyans struggling to get food during the ongoing drought.
However, he underlined the need for more investments in agriculture.
"As manufacturers, we have singled out industrialized agriculture as a critical pillar to address food insecurity in the country.
"The sector is particularly critical for driving Kenya’s food security agenda through increased production and supply and reduction of food prices across all corners of the country to ensure affordability,' he stated.
Among measures initiated by President William Ruto to mitigate hunger included releasing subsidised fertiliser to the market, with prices reduced from Ksh6,500 to Ksh3,500.
Ruto also wooed foreign investors to build fertiliser manufacturing companies in Kenya. On the cost of maize flour, he requested for one year to effectively reduced the price from Ksh200 to Ksh70.
