The government has set aside Sh5 billion for the provision of subsidized fertilizer, which will be distributed to farmers across the 47 counties during this long rain season.
Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura said the impact of the government’s program on the distribution of subsidized fertilizer improved the country’s agricultural sector in the last three quarters of 2023.
“The sector grew by 6.1 percent in the first quarter, 8.2 percent in the second quarter and 6.7 percent in the third quarter,” he said.
The Government Spokesperson who was speaking at Konza Technocity in Machakos County during his weekly briefing announced that 18 counties are also set to benefit from Sh. 4.5 billion under the County Aggregated Industrial Parks Progamme.
He said each county will be allocated Sh. 250 million, which they will utilise to create job opportunities for the youth and promote the local manufacturing industries in their areas.
Counties that will benefit include Bungoma, Busia, Embu, Garissa, Homa Bay, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Machakos, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Murang’a, Nakuru, Nandi, Nyamira, Siaya, Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu.
Mwaura added that the County Governments Additional Allocation Bill, 2023 has provided an additional Sh.46, 362,301,459 to counties for financial year 2023/2024, where Sh.10, 116, 848,690 is an additional allocation from the National Government’s share of revenue that has been set aside for implementation of the fertilizer subsidy, industrial parks and construction of county headquarters.
The Bill has also allocated Sh454 million to five counties for the construction of county headquarters offices in Isiolo, Lamu, Tana River, Tharaka Nithi, and Nyandarua.
The Government Spokesperson said the purpose of constructing the headquarters in those counties is to promote devolution and ensure the appropriate infrastructure necessary to perform their respective functions.
Present at the event were Deputy Government Spokespersons Mwanaisha Chizuga and Gabriel Muthuma as well as the Konza Technopolis Chief Executive Officer John Okwiri.
By Bernadette Khaduli
