President William Ruto launched a pointed attack on former allies he claims betrayed the agricultural sector, in what appeared to be a direct swipe at former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi.

Speaking on Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the 10th Annual Dairy Farmers Field Day at the ASK Grounds in Meru, Ruto praised improvements in the coffee sector but didn’t shy away from expressing his frustration with corruption that has slowed broader reforms in agriculture.

He accused unnamed leaders, widely interpreted to include Linturi, of abandoning their responsibility to support farmers in favour of colluding with brokers and cartels.

“Mwaka huu, kahawa ile ilikuwa inauzwa 65 shillings kwa kilo moja, mwaka huu ilikuwa shilingi 100, 110, ikisonga mbele,” said Ruto, noting that coffee farmers were finally beginning to reap better returns.

Loose Translation: (“This year, coffee was selling at KSh65 per kilo. Now it’s going for KSh100, KSh110, and it’s still going up.”)

Ruto lamented that despite early progress, some of the very people he appointed had derailed efforts meant to put more money in farmers’ pockets.

“Na mimi nataka niwahakikishie, hiyo maneno ya kilimo nataka nihakikishe wakora wote nitawafukuza, mkulima aweze kuweka pesa kwa mfuko wake,” he declared.

(“I want to assure you that in agriculture, I will chase out all the crooks so that the farmer can put money in their pocket.”)

He added that loyalty and political connections would not shield anyone who let down farmers.

“Na wale wakora wote, hata wakiwa na marafiki kiasi gani, nyinyi mnanielewa watu wa Meru. Si mnajua kuna watu wengine nilipatia kazi wakashindwa? Wakaenda kuungana na cartels?” he posed.

(“And all those crooks, no matter how many friends they have, you people of Meru understand. You know there are people I gave jobs, and they failed? They ended up joining cartels?”)

The President’s remarks come against the backdrop of the fake fertiliser scandal that engulfed the Ministry of Agriculture earlier this year. While he avoided naming Linturi directly, the context and timing of the comments pointed clearly in his direction.

Ruto concluded by slamming those who engaged in shady dealings at the expense of essential services for farmers.

“Wakaenda kuuza mambo ingine badala ya kupatiana mbolea,” he said.

(“They went to sell other things instead of distributing fertiliser.”)