YVONNE'S TAKE: A confusing manifestation of the whole government approach

For those familiar with the biblical story, explanations by different senior government officials on the fertilizer perfectly suited the clash of tongues narrated in the story. 

So, some objective facts here would matter; the claims of fake fertiliser in circulation in the country came from the farmers themselves and through an investigative piece by journalist John Allan Namu. 

Once the claims gathered some steam and gained nationwide attention, the comments and action started to stream in.

"So the first response, as per usual, was an official denial. In March this year, CS Linturi said and I quote 'Hii fertiliser imeangaliwa na ikakaguliwa na tukaona ni fertiliser sawa.' Remember also by this time farmers were themselves posting videos of the suspected fake fertiliser they had bought from government stores. 

Rather than listen to them and perhaps request for samples, the CS dismissed them saying, 'Kila mtu anataka kujifanya yeye ni scientist, ati macho yao ni kama microscope inaangalia nutrient flani kwa fertiliser.'

The CS fell on what has become a refrain with government officials faced with difficult questions on an issue- it is the opposition’s fault. 

On that he said, 'Story za watu wa vitendawili na watu wakuweka sufuria kwa kichwa wachana nazo. 

There is nothing that we expect itoke mzuri kutoka kwao. Kile wanataka ni serikali yetu ianguke tukuwe na shida' he said the Azimio coalition was peddling the ‘fake fertiliser narrative’. He had some views of the journalist who exposed the matter, called him a crook!

Then days later, we heard from the government spokesperson. He said the fake fertiliser in circulation was not part of the government subsidy program but was in fact a soil conditioner that was being sold by a private company but distributed by the cereals and produce board.

But wait, let’s go back to the Cabinet Secretary for a moment, because his story changed yet again. From denying that there was an issue with the fertiliser in the market, to blaming journalists and the minority coalition, he then either had a change of heart or must have come across some new information, because he was now admitting to fake fertiliser, OK, correction. 

He said it wasn’t fake but substandard. And this time he had some specifics, he says it is only 3000 bags that have been flagged as being substandard, not fake!

But, nevermind that the deputy president just days before while visiting Kenyans in Rwanda actually called it fake! 

He condemned those distributing fake fertiliser to farmers, assuring Kenyans that those behind the scam would be brought to book.

 And wait, he too had his numbers. He said that there were 50,000 bags of the fake fertiliser in the market. 

And even this number, he said, was not significant as to affect the food security situation in the country as it is a small portion of the 4 million bags of legit fertiliser already given to farmers.

The president himself also doubled down on this, promising to ensure that the matter is investigated and that those companies involved in the scam would compensate the farmers.

So, folks, in the span of one month, we have moved from a number of positions, denying that there was ever a scandal to begin with to, dismissing the farmers and the journalists, to the fertiliser being substandard to it being a soil conditioner. 

Then finally it is fake. So, which is it? Why are senior government speaking at odds? Why not wait for the investigations before making very categorical statements on the matter? And when a matter is so firmly established by a Cabinet Secretary before getting all the facts, do we really need to wait for the investigations?

 Are we sure they will give the answers to something so critical as food security? Finally, if this is the manifestation of the whole government approach, then….well…

That's my take.