Truths & half-truths: Gachagua and Raila's claims on Russia-donated fertiliser

The statement, which seems to be in tandem with that made by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga about two years ago when he was in the opposition trenches, may just have lifted the lid on the government’s underhand dealings and why some of the leaders who once served in it are sounding an alarm over the misuse, abuse, and plunder of public resources.

The subsidization of production was one of the key promises of the Kenya Kwanza administration. The reduction of fertilizer prices was also key on President William Ruto's mind, fresh from taking oath of office.

"Our strategy to bring down the cost of living will be to bring down the cost of production. For the short rains, we have made available fertilizer at Ksh.3,500 from Ksh.6,500," Ruto said on September 13, 2022. 

The prices dropped to Ksh.2,500 per 50kg of fertilizer in 2023 after a consignment of fertilizer donated by Russia docked at the Port of Mombasa.

Recent explosive revelations by Gachagua indicate that the fertilizer scandal may have been scaled up, with the farmer receiving the short end of the stick.

The former DP, who was among President Ruto’s key men in the inner sanctum of government, lifted the lid on an alleged fertilizer donation scam.

"The Russian government gave us 40,000 metric tons of fertilizer as a donation. It was given to Maisha Minerals by the president and another 30 tonnes were given to these men, who blended and sold to the government," Gachagua said during a KTN interview. 

"The fertilizer that came from Russia as a donation, which farmers were given free of charge? The ones that came from Algeria, which farmers were given free of charge? The president gave it to Maisha Millers, Devki his friend, blended, packed, and sold to the Kenyan government; they pocketed billions of shillings," he added. 

Before the broad-based government era, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga held Gachagua’s point of view.

"Hiyo mbolea wamepewa bure na serikali ya Urusi wagawanye kwa wakulima bure. Alafu anakuja kuuza na Ksh.2,500. Hiyo Ksh.2,500 wanapeleka wapi? Wamepewa bure tani 34,000 wakaongeza mchanga, ndani yake sasa imefika Ksh.100,000. Alafu wanakuja kusema wameshukisha bei. Uongo hiyo," Raila stated on September 10, 2023. 

During the chaotic period that saw former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi sent packing, President Ruto blew hot and cold on the subject and a myriad of allegations by the opposition supremo then.

"They are telling us there were some 30,000 tonnes of fertilizer from where… We have supplied fertilizer that is scientifically tailored for all the soils in the region… Those telling us we have sold sand or soils, it is because they believe in voodoo, we believe in science," the president said on September 11, 2023. 

The political terrain may have changed significantly since the scandal, but a lot remains unchanged, including the lack of explanations as to how much was siphoned out of the public coffers through the fake fertilizer scam.