The Cabinet was informed that the country is now food secure due to government-subsidised fertiliser and other support measures for farmers.
"As a result, most households can access basic food requirements. Currently, Kenya has 95.2 million 50kg bags of maize, 8.8 million bags of beans, 10.4 million bags of wheat, and 2.1 million bags of rice in stock.
"For the first time, Kenya has produced enough sugar to meet local demand, eliminating the need for imports this year. This milestone is attributed to subsidised fertiliser and improved sector management," the dispatch read.
The market for coarse grains, especially maize, has shown stable prices.
"In August, the average wholesale price for a 90kg bag of maize was Sh3,300, with the highest prices in Nandi at Sh3,600 and the lowest in Nyamira ranging from KSh2,800 to 3,600.
"Farm gate prices in Trans Nzoia and Nyamira were as low as Sh2,500-2,800 per 90kg bag. Maize flour prices also declined, with a 2kg packet retailing at an average of KSh124 in Nairobi supermarkets, down from KSh139 in June," the Cabinet noted.
A similar downward trend was observed in the dry beans market, where wholesale prices for a 90kg bag fell to Sh9,400 in August from Sh10,500 in July, largely due to recent harvests. The lowest prices were recorded in Embu at Sh7,200 and in Laikipia at Sh7,500, while Kisumu saw the highest prices at Sh14,000 per 90kg bag...
The Cabinet also received a briefing on labour migration, noting that since July 2023, 105,367 Kenyans have secured jobs abroad, while 16,943 have been cleared for overseas work since January this year following labour agreements with Germany and Austria.
The Ministry of Labour has also identified other destination countries for Kenyan workers, including Australia, Qatar, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, the United Kingdom, Kuwait, and Northern Ireland.
"These opportunities span professional, skilled, and unskilled jobs, including roles for nurses, aged-care workers, and teachers in subjects such as science, mathematics, English, and physical education," the dispatch read.
The Cabinet also approved several policies, including the upgrading of five Technical Training Institutes to National Polytechnics-namely, Michuki TTI, Mitunguu TTI, Ol'lessos TTI, Nairobi TTI, and Friends College of Research and Technology in Kaimosi-raising the number of national polytechnics from 23 to 28.
Additionally, the transfer of Amboseli National Park to the County Government of Kajiado and Kenya's ratification of the United Nations Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction were approved.