The Siaya County Government has announced a bold plan aimed at ending persistent food shortages and reducing reliance on agricultural imports from other regions and neighbouring countries. Speaking at the county headquarters, Agriculture CECM Dr. Sylvester Kokoth said the new strategy marks a turning point for a region that has long depended on supplies from Laikipia, Meru, Taita Taveta and even Uganda. He emphasized that under Governor James Orengo’s administration, Siaya is determined to transition from a food-deficit county into a fully self-sufficient agricultural producer.
Dr. Kokoth noted that although the county has fertile soils and access to multiple permanent water bodies—including Lake Victoria, River Nzoia, Yala Swamp and Lake Kanyaboli—local agricultural production has lagged for years. Not a single large-scale egg producer operates in Siaya, he said, forcing residents to rely heavily on imports from Uganda. To reverse this trend, the county launched the Grants and Subsidies for Agricultural Inputs Programme, which last week distributed 158 tonnes of subsidised fertiliser worth KSh40 million to more than 200,000 registered farmers. Subsidised seeds tailored to specific climatic zones have also been issued. The county has expanded its fleet of government tractors from 10 to 17, offering ploughing services to farmers at KSh2,000 per acre under the Tractor Hire Services initiative. Farmers cultivating more than one acre will receive additional support through free manure and seed packages.
Under the new strategy, Siaya County aims to cultivate at least 3,000 acres this season, projecting a harvest of 284,000 bags of maize—enough to sustain the county for an estimated 54 months based on current consumption patterns. Dr. Kokoth said the county has also set aside KSh80 million in a supplementary budget to procure more manure and improved seed varieties, which will be offered at subsidised rates to ensure equitable access. Farmers will be registered and monitored to track yields and allocate inputs efficiently, ultimately boosting production across the county.
The programme has been welcomed by farmers, many of whom praised the county government for investing in agriculture after years of dependence on imports. Residents like Michael Odede from Bondo and Millicent Atieno from Siaya town urged fellow farmers to join the initiative, expressing optimism that the new measures will empower households and secure the county’s long-term food resilience. With sustained investment and proper implementation, Siaya hopes to transform its agricultural landscape and emerge as a regional food powerhouse.