Lodwar, March 31, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
The County Government has received a total consignment of 5,1269 metric tonnes of assorted certified seeds to Turkana irrigation farmers, following the onset of rainy season for timely planting.
The seeds worth Sh6 million was delivered by Kenya Seed Company to the County Government after the request was placed in the last week of March, 2026.
Receiving the consignment, the County Chief Officer for Agriculture and Land Reclamation, David Maraka thanked the Kenya Seed Company for honouring the agreement to supply and deliver the seeds within the shortest time possible.
“We are impressed with government to government arrangement that has enabled us get quality seeds in real-time, this financial year 2025/2026. This will go along way to support our rain fed farmers in Turkana East, South and Loima in a bid to increase productivity and production of food in Turkana,” Maraka said this while receiving the seeds.
He further said that the Department has proposed an increase in the budget allocation of seeds supply and farm tools to Sh 40 million in the following financial year.The intention, Maraka said, will be to ensure every household is food secure.
While inspecting the delivered seeds, Aaron Nanok, the Director of Agriculture said that is happy that more than 6000 female-headed households, out of 10000 are going to benefit from the targeted seed subsidy programme.
“The seeds will be used to produce crop and seed from 5,458 acres of land while 27,596.5 acres may be planted in the following year, owing to the constraints in the budget this financial year,” stated Nanok.
The Director noted that the assorted seeds comprise of Cereals(maize, DHO4 and DH02 and sorghum, Legumes (cowpeas, KenKunde, Greengrams, Ks20 and Beans, Kazuri Variety), and Green leafy vegetables seeds; Tomato(Kibo Star F1, Nyota and Riogrande),Watermelon, Sukumawiki, Squash butternut,black sucha, Saga (spideplant) Onion, Swiss chard.
The Kenya Seed Company, Kitale Region Principal Sales Officer, Margaret Maiyo acknowledged the seamless collaboration between the Seed Company and the County Government. She said Turkana County is among 29 other counties, which KSC is supporting to deliver the seeds for food security interventions.
Maiyo confirmed that because of the good quality seed varieties, supplied Turkana will after three months, have bumper harvest, that will be sold locally and to the neighbouring counties.
She added that the good road network enabled them to transport and deliver the seeds within short period.
Maiyo was accompanied by Tabitha Muchiri, the Senior Sales Officer, Distribution and Export.
Dorcas Ejore (Deputy Director Administration), Bonface Okita (County Crops Officer) Pius Ekidor (Accountant), and Joel Tattoi (Procurement Officer).
