Nakuru County Farmers Anticipate Successful Harvest Amid Favorable Rains and Stabilizing Food PricesFatal Collisions on Narok-Bomet Highway Claim Two Lives

NAKURU, Kenya – Farmers in Nakuru County are expressing optimism for a prosperous harvest season, buoyed by the continued rainfall and the resultant stabilization in food prices. The county has been experiencing scattered showers since January, as forecasted by the Meteorological Department last year, leading to greener landscapes in areas like Elementaita, Kiambogo, and Mastoo. This change marks a significant improvement over the same period in the previous year.

According to Kenya News Agency, the dispersed rains have played a critical role in bringing crops to maturity. Farmers in the region have successfully harvested beans, with the price per kilogram stabilizing at Sh 80 since September 2023. Despite initial uncertainty about the predicted El Nino rains and delayed planting, many farmers returned to their fields as late as November, with expectations of a bountiful bean harvest.

In addition to beans, the region has seen an abundance of green maize and sorghum, crops that were previously rare. Kevin Ilakho, a cereals trader in Nakuru town, observed that these crops are nearing readiness for harvest, indicating another successful yield. Green maize is currently selling for as low as Sh 10 a cob at Elementaita trading center, a price attributed to the steady supply from Mau Narok. This trading center serves as a key stopover for farmers transporting their produce to markets in Nakuru, Nairobi, and other major towns.

Ilakho also noted that the demand for dry maize has decreased compared to last year. Families are able to supplement their maize meals with potatoes, readily available due to the ongoing rains. A report from the Office of the Auditor General in December 2023 highlighted that Nakuru County farmers were significant beneficiaries of the government’s subsidized fertilizer program, receiving over 440,000 bags out of 3.4 million distributed nationwide. This success is partly due to the collaboration between the County and the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), ensuring the efficient distribution of fertilizer.

The subsidized fertilizer program has facilitated easier access for farmers by establishing satellite depots in key locations such as Mutungati, Kiambogo-Gilgil, Kamara, Mauche, Molo, and Kiptororo. These efforts have contributed to the optimistic outlook among farmers in Nakuru County, who are now poised to reap the benefits of their labor and the favorable agricultural conditions.

Narok, Kenya – two individuals have tragically lost their lives in separate road accidents on the Narok-Bomet highway. These incidents occurred earlier today, causing a significant impact on local traffic and raising concerns about road safety in the area.

According to Kenya News Agency, the first accident involved a collision between a matatu and a lorry at Tegero area. The Toyota Hiace Matatu, operated by Transcar Galaxy Sacco, was heading towards Narok town when it collided head-on with an oncoming Mitsubishi Fuso lorry. The crash resulted in the immediate death of the 50-year-old matatu driver, while five passengers sustained serious injuries. Additionally, eleven others suffered minor injuries. All injured parties were promptly transported to the Narok county referral hospital for treatment. The body of the deceased driver was also taken to the hospital’s morgue. Authorities are currently searching for the lorry driver, John Kamau Ngugi, who fled the scene unharmed.

The second accident occurred near Kim’s Breeze hotel, also on the Narok-Bomet Highway. A boda boda rider was struck and killed by a bus belonging to Ena Coach. Reports indicate that the motorcyclist lost control and fell onto the highway right in the path of the bus. Despite the bus driver’s attempts to stop the vehicle by applying emergency brakes, the collision was unavoidable, and the rider died instantly at the scene.

Both the bus and the motorcycle have been taken to the Narok town traffic office for further inspection. These consecutive accidents have prompted a renewed focus on road safety measures in the region.