President William Ruto has assured Kenyans that reforms in the sugar industry will ensure farmers’ payments are fast-tracked upon cane delivery.
Speaking during a leadership forum at the South Nyanza Sugar Company (SONY) in Awendo, Migori, President Ruto said that the measures put in place for the four leased state-owned sugar factories will ensure farmers receive bonuses, just like in the case of other cash crops.
“I expect to come to South Nyanza Sugar Company this December to give farmers their bonuses so that we can put more money in farmers’ pockets,” said President Ruto.
In January this year, President Ruto distributed bonus cheques worth Sh150 million to Mumias sugar farmers, marking it the first such initiative in the sugar sector.
With more additional sugarcane farmers venturing into the sector, the President expressed optimism that by 2027, Kenya will be a net exporter of sugar, ending sugar imports in the country.
He also added that the Lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme in Nyatike Sub-County will receive an additional Sh500 million to increase acreage under irrigation that currently stands at 7,200 acres.
The scheme will also see the establishment of a private rice mill at the scheme to provide a ready market for the rice farmers in the county.
The Head of State emphasised that the agricultural reforms in the country are meant to put more money into farmers’ pockets, lower food prices and reduce the cost of living.
The agricultural reforms have enabled the government to register 6.5 million farmers, helping the administration to plan effectively in delivering subsidised fertiliser and other farm inputs to boost crop production in the country.
On the issue of economic stability, President Ruto affirmed that the country was the sixth largest economy in Africa, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlighting the progress the country has made to reduce the annual inflation rate from 9.6 per cent in 2022 to 4 per cent in 2025.
The Head of State also explained that Sh 21 billion has been set aside to offer free outpatient medical services to all dispensaries, healthcare facilities, Sub-County Hospitals and Level Four Hospitals through the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme across the country.
The free medical services in these facilities will require individuals to register for the Social Health Authority, with the current statistics standing at 25.2 million as of August this year.
The president said that health should not be a privilege for just a few people but a right for all Kenyans, adding that his administration was committed to ensuring the healthcare system works for the benefit of all Kenyans, regardless of their economic status.
On the issue of affordable housing, he said that 18 markets in Migori will be built and completed by the end of 2026 for Sh3.6 billion.
Already, eight markets in the county are under construction, confirming the commitment the government has put in place to offer decent trading areas for local businessmen.
So far, Sh15 billion has been put into affordable housing to build 7,800 housing units in the county, with the housing project in Mabera Sub-County, Kuria, almost complete.
President Ruto, who also oversaw the groundbreaking ceremony of the affordable housing in Awendo town, said that the project will create jobs for the youths as well as ensure the county residents are homeowners.
The affordable housing project in the county will also factor in the construction of 7,500 hostel units at a cost of Sh4 billion spread across 15 learning institutions, including Technical Vocational and Education training centers (TVETs), Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTCs) and Rongo University.
The Migori Stadium, another huge infrastructure project currently under construction, is expected to be ready by June 2026 with a budget of Sh800 million set aside.
He also highlighted other government initiatives to create job opportunities for the youth, including internships through the Public Service Commission (PSC), the Jitume digital platform, and bilateral labour agreements with various countries.
Over 430,000 youth have secured jobs abroad under the bilateral labour agreements with various countries in the last three years.
At the same time, the government is giving grants and loans through the Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF) and Women Empowerment Fund (WEF) to Kenyans who want to start their businesses.
Furthermore, the government has also introduced the Climate Work-Kazi mtaani initiative that will employ 200,000 youth across the country and the Nyota Programme, a five-year project that seeks to empower 800,000 youths.
The President asserted that politics should not be tied to development, advising the opposition that the coming general election will not be about slogans but rather issue-based campaigns, relevant agendas and solid plans for Kenyans.
He applauded efforts made by the former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, to promote national unity and collaboration with the government that have ensured the political and economic stability of the country.
By Makokha Khaoya and Akida Jedidah
