The country is reeling from the destructive impact of ongoing floods, with the Ministry of Agriculture revealing that approximately 33,000 hectares of crops have succumbed to the deluge.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh disclosed that last week alone, the Kenya Seed Company lost 2,000 acres of seed in Baringo.
"Agriculture has suffered greatly due to the flood wrath caused by climate change. Everyone has witnessed the ravages of floods," he said.
Speaking during the tree planting exercise at Tulwap Kipsigis, Kipkelion East constituency in Kericho, Ronoh lamented the significant losses, attributing it to the relentless onslaught of climate change.
He noted that the only way to combat is for concerted efforts from all Kenyans to support the government's ambitious tree-planting campaign aimed at planting 15 billion trees.
Addressing concerns about the infiltration of cartels into government-subsidized fertilizer distribution, Ronoh reaffirmed that only 3,500 bags of substandard fertilizer had been distributed before swift government intervention.
He reiterated that the government would compensate the affected maize farmers and directed the National Cereals and Produce Board to purchase remaining maize stocks at a fixed price of Sh4,000 per 90kg bag to stabilize the market.
Ronoh was accompanied by Senate Leader of Majority Aaron Cheruiyot and area MP Joseph Cherorot, Hillary Koskei (Kipkelion West) and woman representative Beatrice Kemei.
Cheruiyot emphasized the need to protect vital tree seedlings from local cattle and pledged support for forest conservation efforts, including the preservation of the Mau Forest Complex.
He urged the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to protect the 10,000 tree seedlings planted by various state departments and organizations in Tulwap Kipsigis from being destroyed.
Later on, the PS presided over the Coffee Farmers' Field and Empowerment day at Sirigoi Primary School in Kunyak Ward, Kipkelion West.
He distributed 65,000 seedlings to the famers in the area.
The seedlings will benefit farmers of Kipkelion West and East Constituencies.
