On April 8, 2024, President William Ruto pledged to pursue legal action against individuals involved in the sale of counterfeit fertilizers to farmers across the nation. This commitment came to light during his visit to the Eldoret National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot, where he observed the distribution of subsidized fertilizers to farmers.
Addressing the issue head-on, President Ruto condemned the actions of those perpetrating fraud within the agricultural sector, particularly by peddling fake fertilizers. He emphasized the critical role of authentic fertilizers in bolstering food production efforts and vowed to clamp down on such illicit practices.
Furthermore, President Ruto urged the management of NCPB branches nationwide to expedite the distribution of subsidized fertilizers, stressing the significance of timely access to these essential agricultural inputs for farmers.
Underscoring his administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the agricultural sector, President Ruto highlighted the imperative of shielding farmers from fraudulent schemes. He underscored the Kenya Kwanza government’s dedication to upholding the integrity of agricultural initiatives and ensuring the welfare of farmers.
President Ruto’s remarks coincided with a parliamentary summons of Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh, and other officials from NCPB and KEPHIS to address the fake fertilizer scandal.
In related developments, Agriculture PS Ronoh recently announced that farmers affected by the counterfeit fertilizer would receive compensation. He disclosed that NCPB was actively collecting data from impacted farmers to facilitate the compensation process.
Moreover, PS Ronoh revealed that upon examination, the counterfeit fertilizers were found to be deficient in essential nutrients, further underscoring the severity of the issue and the need for decisive action to rectify the situation.
