President William Ruto on Wednesday clarified the reason for the nationwide delay in the distribution of government fertiliser.
Speaking In Kakamega at the International Investment Conference, the Head of State attributed the delays to the ongoing fights at the Red Sea.
This, according to the Head of State has blocked the passage of ships carrying the subsidised fertiliser from travelling towards the Kenyan Coastline.
“The fertiliser subsidy programme is ongoing, with hard challenges because of intermittent supply mainly because of the challenges we are having at the Red Sea," Ruto stated.
The Head of State while issuing the clarification, noted that the fertiliser stuck at the Red Sea is expected to arrive at the Port of Mombasa by April 10.
The Red Sea crisis has been instigated by Iranian Houthi rebels protesting against Israel over its attacks on the Gaza strip.
This has greatly interfered with transportation through the most used sea, forcing vessels to sail around South Africa.
Ruto further assured Kenyans that the government was in the process of finding alternative sources of fertilisers to curb the deficiency.
"The government of Kenya will make sure that the Ministry of Agriculture is working around the clock to make sure that every farmer gets the required fertiliser before the season is over," the Head of State announced.
"We will enhance the supply of fertiliser because we believe that will enhance productivity across all crops that are growing this season."
In a bid to secure farmers from rogue fertiliser suppliers, President Ruto noted the government would take stringent measures to curb the sale of fake fertilisers and seeds to farmers.
According to Ruto, the government had already arrested individuals linked to the supply of fake fertilisers citing that the State was in the process of prosecuting those found culpable.
"We must eliminate corruption, we must deal with those who want to sabotage our fertiliser programme firmly, effectively and conclusively," Ruto stated.
Ruto's sentiments come hours after officers drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) nabbed suspects accused of conning farmers in Kakamega by selling to them sand packaged as fertiliser.
