Ruto: Those who took part in Sufuria protests have left
For the second time in a week, President William Ruto has made it clear that he was not taking corners when he mentioned the Sufuria protests during a public rally in Rift Valley a few days ago.
Speaking to Kenyans living in Qatar on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the head of state boldly revisited how the Sufuria protests left him with an emotional scar.
You might also like
He openly and proudly stated that those who used to protest about the cost of living are no longer in the streets, courtesy of the policies his government has put in place to reduce the cost of living.
Government intervention in agriculture
Ruto said that food security in Kenya has improved because of deliberate government action.
He explained that when he took office in 2022, the cost of maize flour had risen to Ksh250, sparking anger among citizens who staged protests, many of them wearing sufurias on their heads.
“Number two is that we are stabilising our food security. I know that many of you know that in 2022, we had people in the streets with sufurias on their heads because the price of unga had gone to Ksh250. Those people have since left,” Ruto said.
He credited the improvement to changes in how his administration manages the agricultural sector, saying the government has shifted focus from subsidising consumption to supporting production.
From subsidy to production support
“Just for your information, we have intervened. We changed the framework for the approach in our agriculture sector. We’ve moved away from subsidising consumption to supporting production, that is, reducing the cost of fertiliser and making seeds available,” he said.
The president noted that these reforms have lowered production costs for farmers and increased food supply, helping to stabilise the prices of basic commodities.
Ruto said the government’s approach is designed to create long-term solutions that make Kenya self-reliant in food production rather than depending on temporary relief measures.
He thanked Kenyans for their patience and support as the government continues implementing policies to strengthen the economy and ensure affordable living for all citizens.
The head of state concluded by saying that the days of Sufuria protests are now behind Kenya, as his administration remains focused on empowering farmers and ensuring every household can afford food without hardship.
