President William Ruto has taken what appeared to be a thinly veiled jab at former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, accusing unnamed leaders of betraying farmers by working with cartels instead of delivering critical support such as fertilizer.

Speaking in Meru on Saturday, June 21, 2025, during the 10th Annual Dairy Farmers Field Day at the ASK Grounds, Ruto praised progress in the coffee sector but lamented that some trusted officials had derailed key reforms.

“This year, coffee is selling at Sh100, even Sh110 per kilo and it’s still improving,” Ruto noted. “But we would have moved faster if some of those I entrusted with responsibility had not joined brokers and cartels.”

Without mentioning Linturi directly, the president appeared to reference the former CS's role in the 2024 fake fertilizer scandal that triggered national outrage and led to Linturi’s dismissal.

“There are people I gave jobs, and they failed. They went to sell other things instead of distributing fertilizer,” Ruto said. “In agriculture, I will chase out all the crooks so that farmers can earn and grow.”

The remarks struck a chord with locals in Meru Linturi’s home turf who interpreted the comments as directed squarely at the former CS, now allied with ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The two have since launched the Democratic Change Party (DCP) after parting ways with Kenya Kwanza.

Ruto closed his address with a firm pledge: “No matter how many friends they have, we will not allow betrayal. We are building a country based on truth and accountability.”