CS Kagwe orders destruction of 27,518 bags of expired fertilizer

In a communiqué on Thursday, CS Kagwe said that the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) will supervise the destruction of a consignment of Sulphate of Ammonia (21%) fertilizer delivered to NCPB by Fine Tech Edge Ltd between December 27, 2024, and January 6, 2025.

Prior to contract execution, KEBS tested samples of the fertilizer and the results indicated that it complied with the requirement for Sulphate of Ammonia (21%N) and NPK fertilizers as per Kenyan standards.

After a greenlight from KEBS, 34,100 bags (50kg) were delivered to NCPB.

"However, upon supply, NCPB noted the short shelf-life, which was to lapse on February 28, 2025, as indicated in the packaging material," the statement noted in part.

NCPB therefore froze the sale of the consignment on February 27, 2025, and KEBS seized the fertilizer on March 4, 2025, stopping its distribution until safe destruction.

Kagwe added that Fine Tech Edge Ltd will bear the costs, and loss, reiterating that the government is committed to ensure that public health and environmental standards are upheld and Kenyan farmers access the highest quality of farm inputs.

He has also urged players in the agricultural and livestock sectors to take up insurance to mitigate such losses, noting the government and Kenyan public will not incur any loss or costs.

The supplier has been requested to deliver fertilizer with a longer shelf life.