In May 2023, Russia donated at least 34,000 tonnes of raw fertilizer to Kenya.
The consignment was received by the Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary(CS) Mithika Linturi in Mombasa.
While receiving the donation, Linturi, at the time, assured the nation that the Kenya Kwanza administration was keen on lowering the cost of fertilizer in a bid to improve production of food in the country.
It's interesting to note that the Russian embassy has, on August 3, 2023, tweeted about the donation, two months after the consignment arrived in Kenya.
In the tweet, Russia says the donation will be reformulated to produce 100,200 tonnes from the fertilizer for a bountiful farm produce this year.
"More than 34,000 tonnes of fertiliser donated to Kenya by the Russian Uralchem-Uralkali Group are now being reformulated to produce 100,200 tonnes of fertilizer. This will help Kenya a lot to get a good harvest this year," a tweet shared on Thursday, August 3, 2023, read.
More than 34,000 tonnes of fertilizer donated to Kenya by the Russian Uralchem-Uralkali Group are now being reformulated to produce 100,200 tonnes of fertilizer. This will help Kenya a lot to get a good harvest this year. pic.twitter.com/Dt9mUtd6Jc— Russian Embassy in Kenya/Посольство России в Кении (@russembkenya) August 3, 2023
Ruto reveals new fertilizer prices
During his address to the nation on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, President William Ruto released new fertiliser prices with a 29 per cent reduction under the fertilizer subsidy programme.
Ruto said that the price of a 50kg bag of fertilizer will be sold at Ksh2500 down from Ksh3500 effective August 1, 2023.
"Today (August 1, 2023), I am proud to announce the commencement of the second phase of our programme. On this leg, we shall begin by immediately bringing down the price of fertiliser from Ksh3,500 to Ksh2,500 per 50 kg bag," he said.
Ruto said, on the first day of subsidizing fertiliser, on August 1, 34,000 bags of fertilizer were sold to farmers and the government targets to sell at least 2 million bags across the country.
"For the coming short rains, the government has embarked on the distribution of fertilizer to farmers throughout the country, with a view to ultimately delivering 100,000 MT, or 2 million 50kg bags, at a subsidised cost of Ksh2,500," he said.
Adding;
"Further, I am happy to announce that our partnerships with county governments to provide last-mile delivery of fertilizer to farmers will be complemented with the opening of more than 50 distribution centres at the grassroots."
