Leaders in the Ministry of Agriculture are advising farmers in Trans Nzoia to hold off on planting until the long rains arrive, with the onset now projected for early March.

Speaking at the Agriculture offices, CECM Phanice Khatundi and Chief Officer Patrick Osoro, alongside other ministry leaders, briefed the media on the upcoming planting season.

Farmers are advised to begin dry planting early next month, as current rainfall remains insufficient to provide the soil moisture required for seed germination.

“We call on our farmers to start preparing their lands, we are expecting long rains to start as early as this month and stretch into March, April and May. The current rains have no enough moisture to start planting,” Kennath Kagai Crop Officer said.

According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, long rains are expected to continue in most regions in Western, Central Highlands, including Nairobi, Lake Victoria Basin, the Rift Valley and some parts of South-Eastern Lowlands.

This advisory follows Governor George Natembeya’s flagship seed program, which has become a cornerstone of his administration. By providing vulnerable families across Trans Nzoia with 2kg packets of high-quality maize seed, the county aims to tackle the roots of poverty and build a more food-secure future for its residents.

Osoro said the ministry has already budgeted for the programme, and is waiting for a price drop on maize seeds by the national government to increase the number of bags and households to benefit from the program.

“In this year’s budget, we have allocated KSh 139 million for purchase of seeds, 200,031 2kg packets for vulnerable families, and still waiting for cut cost on seeds by the ministry at the national level to increase the purchase that will benefit equivalently 330, 952 families,” Osoro revealed.

CECM Khatundi confirmed that the program is ready for launch now that seed procurement is complete. However, the county is strategically timing the rollout to coincide with an expected price drop, following the recent spike in costs caused by last year’s executive order.

“Governor is ready, but as a ministry we are waiting for an executive order from the national government to reduce the prices to benefit more farmers, in line with our budget of Ksh 139 million, purchasing it at KSh 600 will have us see a short of 95,000 bags,” she further clarified.

Khatundi Responds to Senator Allan Chesang on Fertiliser

She further lauded the government for reducing prices on fertiliser to KSh 2,500, and availing the information to farmers to register to acquire the fertilisers from warehouses in NCPB in Kitale.

“As a county, we do not have a budget for fertliser, that budget is with the national government, the governor’s budget is KSh 139 million for maize seeds only,” she further cleared the air.

Khatundi further characterised the Senator’s weekend remarks as a failed attempt at political incitement, arguing that his actions in the Senate contradict his supposed concern for local farmers.

She challenged the Senator to prioritise his role as an advocate for increased county revenue rather than attacking “noble programs” that are currently operating within tight, federally-imposed budget constraints.

“We are not aware of the budget on fertiliser. The rumour is being spread by the Senator. He has stepped away from his known roles of legislation, oversight and allocation. He has been missing in action for three years, not a matter of politics in funerals and barazas. He has failed to ensure that fertiliser should reach wananchi, what role has he played to ensure funds come to the county when he voted against? This is incitement against our farmers,” Khatundi responded.

Additionally, Khatundi challenged Senator Chesang to account for his own legislative record and performance to the people of Trans Nzoia rather than attacking an initiative designed to uplift local livelihoods.

She urged him to move past political criticism and instead focus on his primary role of representing the residents’ interests at the national level.