Ruto: Kenya is too modern, complex and sophisticated to be run by a 'fool'

President William Ruto announced on October 8, 2026, that funds generated from the sale of government shares in Safaricom and Kenya Pipeline will be invested in agricultural reforms. During the inaugural Agriculture and Food Security Summit at Jamhuri Park in Nairobi, Ruto revealed that part of the Ksh320 billion in the National Infrastructure Fund would be allocated to construct over 1,200 dams.

The projects encompass 50 large dams, 200 medium-sized dams, and 1,000 smaller ones. The objective is to shift farmers away from rainfall-dependent farming to irrigation, thus enhancing agricultural yields. Ruto emphasized that changing weather patterns over the past six years have adversely impacted agricultural production due to unreliable rainfall.

He stressed the need for Kenya to reduce reliance on unpredictable weather forecasts, particularly concerning the timing of El Niño rains. Ruto defended the decision to sell shares in Safaricom and Kenya Pipeline, asserting that the proceeds would be directed towards long-term investments through the National Infrastructure Fund.

He further highlighted that the irrigation projects would yield returns surpassing the income previously derived from the government's shareholdings. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Kenya's economy and food security, contributing nearly half of the nation's GDP. His administration has undertaken several measures, including registering farmers, subsidizing fertilizers, and expanding markets for agricultural products.

Notably, sugarcane farmers have seen a significant improvement in payment timing, receiving their payments within seven days, down from four or five months. The President also pledged to clear all outstanding debts owed to sugarcane and coffee farmers by year-end, with bonus payments anticipated next month. Ruto defended his commitment to attracting foreign investors, noting that private capital is crucial for national development.

Foreign direct investment in Kenya has doubled under his administration, and he reiterated that attracting investors remains a priority. The summit convened government officials and stakeholders within the agriculture sector to deliberate on strategies to boost food production, boost farmer incomes, and strengthen agricultural value chains.

Ruto emphasized that investments in dams and irrigation would help decouple farming from rainfall dependence while fostering increased production. The government has linked agricultural reforms to enhanced access to farm inputs, markets, and infrastructure, aiming to bolster the sector.