Govt Confirms Presence of Fake Fertiliser

Govt Confirms Presence of Fake Fertiliser

Govt Confirms Presence of Fake Fertiliser

The distribution of fake fertilizer to farmers nationwide has been verified by the authorities. On Friday, April 5, the confirmation was given amidst confusion and doublespeak on the existence and distribution of fertilizer that was below standard.

While acknowledging the existence of the substandard fertilizer, the Ministry of Agriculture issued an order asking farmers to stop using three KEL Chemicals-supplied fertilizer brands after the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) completed unsuccessful testing.

In a statement issued on Friday, Kilimo House said, “All fertilizers being distributed meet the required quality requirements except those manufactured and distributed by KEL Chemicals branded Kelphos Plus, Kelphos gold, and NPK 10:26:10, which did not meet all required test parameters.”

The government has now verified the inferior quality of the fertiliser, after Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi initially dismissed complaints about the quality of fertiliser distribution as merely propaganda.

Even though Linturi had previously taken a stand to protect the fairness of the distribution process, later events have made a reassessment of the matter necessary.

The confirmation of substandard fertiliser distribution comes in the wake of a directive issued by the National Development Implementation Committee (NDIC) on Friday, March 29.Chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the committee convened for its inaugural meeting of the year, expressing concern over the matter.

In response, the NCPB was instructed to halt further distribution pending the conclusion of investigations.

“As a precautionary measure, the NCPB has been directed to suspend further distribution of fertiliser until the investigation is concluded and a report is provided,” the committee stated in a press release, pointing to the government’s commitment to upholding agricultural standards and supporting farmers nationwide.

Furthermore, the NDIC reaffirmed its resolve to bring those found guilty of misconduct accountable.

The committee restated the National Government’s support for farmers in our wonderful country to increase farm yields, highlighting the significance of agricultural methods that are accountable and transparent.

At a press conference held on Thursday, April 3, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura addressed the accusations.

Mwaura revealed that inquiries were in progress to pinpoint the persons accountable for producing and distributing the purportedly counterfeit fertilizer. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) analyzed samples and found that the fertilizer given had differences that did not match the program’s subsidies.

“May I clarify that inquiries are in progress concerning the claims of counterfeit fertilizer distributions to farmers in order to apprehend those responsible for the fraud,” Mwaura said, emphasizing the government’s proactive stance in resolving the matter.

Mwaura emphasized that the fertiliser that was highlighted and sold under the GPC brand was not included in the NCPB-facilitated subsidised plan.

He emphasized that, in order to avoid confusion, all fertilizers given under the Government Subsidized Program are clearly tagged and labeled.

The demand to apprehend and prosecute persons engaged in the distribution and sale of fake fertilizer has grown.

The government’s handling of the issue has drawn criticism from journalist John Allan Namu, co-founder of Africa Uncensored, which broke the story on phony fertilizers. Namu questions why the government is treating the issue as a PR disaster when it has an impact on food security.

“This issue is being handled like a public relations disaster rather than a food security disaster, which is what it is,” I said, expressing my genuine and profound concern. In an April 4 interview with Citizen TV, he said, “Public relations is one thing, but you cannot public relations your way out of something as serious as a food security crisis.”