Irrigation key to food security William Ruto

The Government will strengthen agriculture to reduce the cost of living in the country, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

Mr Ruto said the Government will put in place measures to lower the cost of production in the agricultural sector including providing certified seeds and subsidised fertiliser.

Saying it is possible to achieve food security through irrigation, the Deputy President said the Government will increase acreage under irrigation to provide more food to Kenyans and end food insecurity.

"In fact the Government has set aside Sh3billion to irrigate additional 5,000 acres of land in Turkana County,” he said.

He said Turkana County will receive Sh9.4billion and urged leaders to ensure projects which improve the livelihoods of the people are implemented.

“Since Turkana county is the second after Nairobi to get huge amounts of money allocated for development, it is my hope that the money will be put to good use to improve the lives of the people and change its narratives from that of hunger, poverty and insecurity to something productive,” said the Deputy President.

Mr Ruto said leaders and residents should work together in planning for the development of Turkana County to change its narratives from that of hunger, poverty and insecurity to a productive one.

Noting that Kenya is blessed with a large and youthful population that is dynamic, innovative and highly educated, Mr Ruto said the youth would improve the country’s food security and create jobs if its energy and creativity were directed to the agricultural sector.

Speaking at Namoruputh Boys secondary school in Loima constituency, Turkana County Sunday evening, the Deputy President at the same time said the Government has declared war against crime and urged locals to cooperate with the police by exposing criminals.

He said the Government would acquire armored vehicles for police officers as the war on terror and insecurity intensified.

He assured Kenyans that Government is committed to strengthening the capacity of the police force to ensure a safe and secure environment for all citizens.

"I am therefore putting all criminals on notice that we will pursue them, apprehend them and jail them,’ he said adding that the only choice open for cattle rustlers was to abide by the law and earn a decent living through honest hard work like other Kenyans.

"I want hard working Kenyans to have the opportunity to take their children to schools and engage in development activities without any fear,” he said.

He said Kenyans have a responsibility to volunteer information that will facilitate the police and other law enforcement agencies to apprehended potential criminals and lawbreakers before they commit crimes.

He said as a working nation there should be total dedication of all peoples' energies, efforts and hard work to transparent economic activities with the assurance that their lives and property are safe.

Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro, Senators John Munyes (Turkana) and Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu) and MPs Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), Authur Odera (Teso North), Christopher Nakule (Turkana North), Nicholas Akuja (Loima) and Joyce Emanikor (Turkana County MP) and Governor Josephat Nanok accompanied the Deputy President.

The leaders called for an end to insecurity problems occasioned by banditry and cattle rustling activities along the Turkana-West Pokot-Ethiopia-Uganda borders.

Governor Nanok said the greatest challenge facing the people of Turkana was insecurity and assured the Government of leaders’ commitment at the county to eradicating the vice.