By Lauryne Akoth
The government has denied links to the alleged fake fertilizer. Speaking at a presser at KICC, the government spokesperson Dr Isaac Mwaura stated that the fertiliser that has been flagged as fake is a product sold commercially under an agency arrangement outside the NCPB system.
” I also wish to clarify, that the other type of fertilizer that has been flagged as fake is a GPC product sold commercially under an agency arrangement outside the NCPB system as a soil conditioner and not fertilizer. ” Clarified Mwaura.
“The product is only being distributed through the Board’s depots by the 51 Capital (K) Limited and is not part of the GoK Subsidized Fertilizers availed to registered farmers.” He further added.
Mwaura clarified that the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), operating as a self-sustainable state corporation, engages in commercial partnerships to distribute farm inputs, and in April 2022, NCPB entered into a commercial agency agreement with 51 Capital (K) to distribute various products, including GPC Soil Conditioner, (the alleged fake fertilizer) through designated depots.
He emphasized that all fertilizers distributed under the Government Subsidized Program are sold in bags clearly labelled as “Government Subsidized Fertilizer” and marked “Not for Resale.”
He also emphasized that initial tests conducted by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) confirmed that the fake fertilizer was not among those supplied under the subsidy program through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
He stated that as of now, the Board has received 2.3 million bags of fertilizer, with farmers redeeming 2.1 million bags from NCPB stores and 158 selling centres under the devolved governments’ last mile program. This redemption was facilitated through the e-voucher system in 28 counties since January of this year.
Mwaura said that fertilizer has been disbursed to 45 counties and farmers have received vouchers in Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeiyo Marakwet, Embu, Garissa, Homabay, Kajiado, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kakamega, Kericho and Kiambu.
Other counties are Kilifi, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Muranga, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Tharaka Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga, West Pokot.
He stated that after the disbursement, no farmer came out to justify that the supplies by NCPB were counterfeited.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has taken up the matter and I want to assure you that those found culpable of supplying not only the fertilizer but also any other form of fake farm inputs shall be apprehended and prosecuted.” Assured Mwaura.