President William Ruto has emphasized that his administration’s policies are geared toward long-term national prosperity rather than immediate political gains. Speaking at the official opening of the 2025 Mombasa A.S.K. International Show in Mombasa County, Ruto highlighted the government’s commitment to structural reforms that ensure sustainable economic growth, with agriculture at the core of this transformation.
“Nowhere is this more evident than in our approach to agriculture, the backbone of our economy and the livelihood of millions of Kenyans,” he stated. The president defended his decision to subsidise agricultural production rather than consumption, acknowledging that it was a tough but necessary choice. “I made the tough but correct choice to subsidise production rather than the convenient yet shortsighted path of subsidising consumption. The results are visible and measurable: stronger food security, higher farmer incomes, and renewed investor confidence,” he said.
To further strengthen the sector, Ruto announced a series of partnerships with the private sector aimed at implementing large-scale irrigation projects in Galana-Kulalu, Bura, and the Tana Delta. These projects, focusing on key crops such as maize, rice, sugar, and cotton, are expected to enhance productivity, stabilize supply chains, and attract further investment.
Agriculture remains central to the President’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which seeks to empower grassroots communities and stimulate inclusive economic growth. Recognizing that a majority of Kenyans, especially in rural areas, rely on farming for their livelihoods, the government has introduced measures to boost productivity and farmer incomes. These include expanded access to subsidised fertilisers and modern farming inputs, which have already contributed to increased crop yields and lower food prices.
Ruto’s remarks come amid ongoing concerns over food security, climate resilience, and rural employment. By focusing on production-led subsidies and strategic infrastructure investments, the government aims to build a resilient agricultural sector capable of sustaining national growth.
With these initiatives, the Ruto administration is signaling that economic sustainability, rather than electoral popularity, will guide its policy decisions ensuring Kenya’s agricultural sector drives long-term prosperity for the nation.
