Lawmakers subjected Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi to intense scrutiny as they presented a sample of 25 kilograms evidence of counterfeit fertilizer believed to have been in circulation under the subsidy program.
The Agriculture CS, who was appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Agriculture, had maintained his stance that no fake fertilizer was distributed in the country and kept referring to it as substandard.
In his submissions, Linturi asserted that the alleged fake fertilizer only fell short of meeting the required standards.
“We do not have fertilizer that you would say is fake what KEL has failed is the standard set out in the Kenyan market is what they have failed by producing a fertilizer that has deficient of + or -3 of the standard,” Linturi told members of the committee on Monday.
However, the MPs went on to produce a bag of the alleged fake fertilizer, which upon examination the CS and the MPs agreed was counterfeit.
However, CS Linturi maintained that the bag presented before him was not part of the subsidized fertilizer distributed under the government’s program.
“The bag that is in front of us here is not in our subsidy program. I have said we have not spent money and I also want to see it side up because this is the first time I’m seeing it,” he stated.
“Within our distribution network, we do not have fertilizer that you would say is fake. What KEL has failed is the standard set out in the Kenyan market by producing a fertilizer that has a deficient of plus or minus three of the standards.”
Also Read: 8 Govt Officials Linked to Fake Fertilizer Scandal Interdicted
Linturi Dismisses Fake Fertilizer Allegations
The Cabinet Secretary disclosed that KEL Chemicals had distributed only 3,000 bags of substandard fertilizer to farmers between March 5th and March 10th, contradicting the figure provided by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Earlier, Rigathi had stated publicly that, “We have imported over four million bags of fertilizer so only 50,000 you got a crooked supplier just the way you have a few people in prison.”
“Whatever figures you hear out there from anyone, treat them with the contempt that they deserve. The true position or the number of bags of fertilizer in the batch that did not meet the standard is 3,000 bags,” Linturi emphasized.
“We’ve been able to identify them, and we are already ready to ensure we do a follow up of the farmers that bought the 3,000 fertilizers.”
Also Read: Govt to Compensate Farmers who Received Fake Fertilizer
Ruto Demands Compensation of Farmers Given Fake Fertilizer
While making an impromptu visit at Eldoret National Cereal and Produce Board (NCPB) on April 8, 2024, President William Ruto said that the company involved in the fake fertilizer should compensate farmers.
“Every farmer will get the correct fertilizer. Those few people who want to take advantage of food production, the company that was involved, should compensate farmers who bought fake fertilizers and they should be given new fertilizers free of charge,” he said.
Eight Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) officials were on April 8 suspended in connection with the fake fertilizer scandal which is being investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Parliament.
The eight from the Quality Assurance Department were arrested over the issuance of certifications and marks of quality to two companies which have been linked to the production of fake fertilizers.
This even as questions surrounding the fake fertilizer issue continue to emerge, with government officials being caught on several occasions speaking at cross purpose with different versions of explanations.
