Gov't suspends distribution of NPK fertiliser

The Ministry of Agriculture has directed the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to immediately cease distribution of NPK 10:26:10 fertilisers manufactured by Ken Chemicals Limited.

In a letter to NCPB Managing Director Joseph Kimote, Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh noted that the said fertiliser brand falls short of the country’s standards.

"Following a spot visit by Ministry staff led by the Principal Secretary to counties and National Cereals and Produce Board stores, it was established that the above fertiliser being distributed under subsidy programme may not be meeting the required standards as earlier indicated," PS Ronoh stated.

"Your institution is requested to suspend the distribution of this fertiliser with immediate effect from being issued to farmers."

The PS likewise directed NCPB to probe the composition of the fertiliser in question before re-introducing it in the government’s subsidy programme.

"In the event the fertiliser is found not to be meeting specifications the supplier will be penalized and meet full cost," said the PS.

This comes after Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi refuted claims of counterfeit state-issued subsidised fertiliser amidst recent reports of seizures across different parts of the country.

Speaking in Kuresoi, Nakuru County on Tuesday, the CS asserted that government fertiliser were scientifically tested and approved before circulation to Kenyan farmers, further advising them not to believe any hearsay on the same.

"Fertiliser ya serikali tunayopeana ni fertiliser imekaguliwa na test results zote na analysis tuko nazo. Hii fertiliser imeangaliwa na ikakaguliwa na tukaona ni fertiliser sawa. We cannot allow a situation where wakulima wetu wanaweza kutapeliwa," he said.

The CS subsequently faulted the opposition for allegedly spreading rumours about the alleged counterfeit fertiliser, accusing them of attempting to derail Kenya Kwanza's development agenda.

He however admitted that the government has launched investigations, as a safety measure, to ensure that no counterfeit subsidised fertiliser is circulating, citing past instances of criminals attempting to defraud Kenyans.