President William Ruto has acknowledged that reforms in the sugar industry will ensure farmers are paid within a week of delivering cane.
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 leased four state owned sugar factories will ensure farmers get bonuses just like in other cash crops.
“I expect to come to South Nyanza Sugar Company this December to give farmers their bonus so that we can put more money in farmers pockets”, said President Ruto.
In January this year, President Ruto gave out bonus cheques worth sh150 million to Mumias sugar farmers, the first such initiative in the sugar sector.
With more additional sugar cane farmers venturing in the sector, the President said 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 additional sh500 million to increase acreage under irrigation that currently stands at 7,200 acres.
The scheme will also see an establishment of a private rice mill at the scheme to provide a ready market for the rice farmers in the county.
He emphasised that the agricultural reforms in the country are meant to put more money into farmer’s pockets, lower food prices and reduce the cost of living.is key to reducing the cost of living.
The agricultural reforms, has enabled the government to register 6.5 million farmers helping the administration to plan effectively in delivering subsidised fertilizer and other farm inputs to boost the crop production in the country.
On the issue of economic stability, President Ruto affirmed that the country was the sixth largest in Africa, a factor attributed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlighting the progress the country has taken to reduce the annual inflation rate from 9.6 percent in 2022 to 4 percent in 2025.
The Head of State also explained that sh21 billion has been set aside to offer free outpatient medical services to all dispensaries, health care facilities, Sub County Hospitals and Level Four Hospitals through the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme across the country.
The free medical services at this facility with require individuals to register for the Social Health Authority with the current statistics standing at 25.2 million as of August this year.
He said that health should not be a privilege for just a few but a right for all Kenyans, adding that his administration was committed to ensure the health care system works for the benefits of all Kenyans regardless of their economic status.
On the issue of affordable housing, he said that 18 markets in Migori will be build and completed by end of 2026 at a cost of sh3.6 billion.
Already eight markets in the county are under construction showing a commitment that the government is putting in place to offer a decent trading areas.
Sh15 billion has also been put in the affordable housing for the creation of 7,800 housing units in the county. Already the housing project in Mabera Sub County-Kuria is almost complete.
President Ruto who also oversaw the ground breaking ceremony of the affordable housing in Awendo town said that the project will create jobs for the youths as well as ensure the county residences are home owners.
In affordable housing project in the county will also factor in 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 next year with a budget of Sh800 million.
He also highlighted job creation programmes targeting youth, including internships through the Public Service Commission (PSC), the Jitume digital platform, and bilateral labour agreements with various countries.
Over 430,000 youths have secured jobs abroad under the bilateral labour agreements with various countries in the last three years, with grants and loans available under government programmes like the Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF), Women Empowerment Fund (WEF) for those who want to start their own businesses.
The government has also introduced the Climate Work-Kazi mtaani intiative that will employee 200,000 youths across the country and the Nyota Programme, a five year project that seeks to empower 800,000 youths.
On political matters, the President said that politics should be tied to development advising the opposition that the coming generation election will not be about slogans but rather issue based, agendas and plans that one has for Kenyans.
He credited the efforts played by The Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to promote national unity and collaboration with the government that ensured the stability of the country and its economic progress
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