The government has announced plans to completely stop the importation of powdered milk, cement and fish from China.
Announcing the move President William Ruto says that the government can generate close to Sh120 billion from the fishing industry sector because Kenya has huge opportunities in the blue economy.
“Why do we have to import products that we can get in our own country like fish when half of Kenya is in the ocean,” he said.
President Ruto who is on a 5-day working tour in the Mount Kenya region has also assured that his government will set up special economic zones to attract investors and promote Kenyan products trade market internationally.
“These special economic zones will generate billions of money that will boost our economy, as government we want to have a debt free country, we cannot keep on lending money from other countries,” he stated.
According to the President, there are special economic zones set up in Busia, Isiolo , Nakuru and Uasin Gishu counties.
“In the next two weeks I’m hoping that Delmonte farms in Kiambu and Murang’a counties will also be included in the list of the special economic zones,” he added.
President Ruto has termed the move to include Delmonte farm in the special economic zones as a great investment urging that this will help boost export markets for Kenyan products ranging from Avocado, Macadamia, coffee, tea and Milk.
In efforts to boost dairy farming in Mount Kenya region Ruto has said that his government has set aside Sh 8 billion to put in place milk collection points and supply more than 650 milk cooling machines under the government modernization program.
“In our 2023/2024 financial year budget we removed VAT tax on animal feeds, yellow maize and other products to enable our farmers boost their dairy milk production,“ Ruto Stated.
Early this month president Ruto announced that his government will increase the farmers credit kit from Sh2 million to Sh10 million so that farmers can access affordable credit with a low interest rate of less than 10% in order to buy farm Inputs.
