The government has announced its decision to provide compensation solely to farmers who received 3,000 bags of fertilizer identified as substandard. This announcement comes amidst the Ministry of Agriculture’s assertion that there are no counterfeit inputs within the subsidy program.
Mithika Linturi, the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, attributed the issue of substandard fertilizer to the Kenya Bureau of Standards during a session with the Senate Agriculture Committee. Linturi informed the committee that out of the 2.3 million bags of fertilizer distributed under the subsidy program by April 4, only 3,000 were deemed substandard. These bags, produced by Kel Chemicals Ltd, were found to contain 24 percent phosphorus instead of the recommended 26 percent.
Upon discovering this deviation, the ministry promptly instructed the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to halt the delivery and distribution of the fertilizer as of March 20, 2024. Linturi emphasized that while the nutrient levels fell short of standards, it did not indicate counterfeit fertilizer. Affected farmers were urged to return the flagged fertilizer to NCPB for further action.
Linturi assured the Senate committee, chaired by Senator James Murango of Kirinyaga, that the ministry has devised mechanisms to compensate affected farmers. Additionally, payments to the manufacturer of the substandard fertilizer have been withheld. The NCPB will provide affected farmers with top-dressing fertilizer, either at a reduced price or free of charge, for those who opt not to seek a refund.
Using the e-voucher system, the ministry can track the distribution of fertilizer and identify recipients. Farmers have been instructed to return the substandard fertilizer to facilitate compensation.
While defending the government’s subsidy program, Linturi acknowledged that it has faced criticism from certain quarters despite its overall success.
