Farmer Confronts Ruto in US Over Fake Fertiliser
Farmer Confronts Ruto in US Over Fake Fertiliser
On Wednesday, May 22, a Kenyan man approached President William Ruto and demanded payment for allegedly purchasing phony fertilizer for Ksh250,000.
The American-born Kenyan voiced his dissatisfaction after being given the chance to speak to the president during the latter’s gathering with American-born Kenyans.
The man described his situation and said he was a US farmer from Narok County who discovered the fertilizer was fake after purchasing it from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
“I am a diaspora farmer and I do a lot of acreages of wheat and this planting season I lost Ksh250,000 on fake fertiliser and we are suffering,” the guy said.
The farmer claimed that even after investing such a large sum of money, he had not yet received the promised compensation from the government.
“I am not sure if the government knows or the government is a party to it because I am trying to fight for my refund,” the individual continued.
When Ruto addressed the issue, he mentioned that all farmers impacted by the threat had previously received compensation from the government.
The Head of State said that following registration, the compensation will be free and processed as quickly as possible.
“We asked every farmer who bought fertiliser that was identified not to be good to register and 7,000 registered,” Ruto said.
“Already we have begun compensation and you will get equivalent fertiliser without having to pay, It will be free of charge,” said the president.
Ruto went on to clarify that senior NCPB officials had previously been detained and were awaiting prosecution following the conclusion of their investigations.
“We have taken the Managing Director of Cereals Board out of office and all his team to court and we are going to deal with them decisively we are going to deal with the crooks,” Ruto said.
