Shock Announcement: Ruto Slashes Key Agricultural Prices in Sweeping Move to Empower Farmers

President Ruto Slashes Sexed Semen Prices from Ksh2,900 to Ksh1,000, Promises Dairy Boom for Kenyan Farmers 

In a sweeping and unexpected announcement set to shake up Kenya’s livestock industry, President William Ruto has revealed that the price of sexed semen will be drastically slashed from Ksh2,900 to just Ksh1,000 beginning next month. The move, which he unveiled on Saturday, June 22, during his visit to Meru County, is being hailed as a potential game-changer for farmers across the country. 

Sexed semen, technologically enhanced to produce offspring of a preferred gender, has long been considered a revolutionary tool in boosting dairy and beef production. Yet for years, its high cost has kept it out of reach for the average Kenyan farmer. That is now set to change. 

“Starting in July next month, we are reducing the price of sexed semen to Ksh1,000,” the president declared. “I don’t want to hear that a farmer has been overcharged. This will help you stop using cheap seeds that only bring guesswork.” 

Ruto emphasized that access to affordable sexed semen is not just about better breeding, it’s about transforming productivity and unlocking economic potential for rural communities. “We want to ensure that farmers produce high-quality calves that translate into more milk, more meat, and more money,” he added. 

The president’s directive is part of a broader strategy to modernize agriculture and reduce reliance on outdated farming practices. His announcement follows a similar order during the 2023 Madaraka Day celebrations, when he called for the price to be dropped from a staggering Ksh8,000 to Ksh3,000. 

Now, with the price plummeting to just Ksh1,000, small-scale farmers, especially in dairy-rich regions like Meru, Nyandarua, and Uasin Gishu, are expected to gain new access to technology that was once reserved for elite breeders. 

According to the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRC), which distributes the semen, the use of sexed semen can dramatically improve yields and efficiency by ensuring female calves for milk production or male calves for beef farming, depending on the farmer’s goal. 

But that’s not all. Ruto also ordered the Ministry of Agriculture to launch a nationwide vaccination campaign targeting devastating livestock diseases like mastitis, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and lumpy skin disease. These diseases have historically crippled livestock productivity and drained farmer incomes. 

Agricultural experts and economists alike are closely watching the ripple effects of this policy. If executed effectively, this initiative could signal the dawn of a new era for Kenya’s livestock sector, one powered by science, efficiency, and a renewed commitment to the country’s farmers. 

As the countdown to July begins, eyes are now on the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure timely implementation, proper distribution, and accountability in rolling out this potentially transformative program.