- National Development Implementation Committee (NDIC) meeting chaired by Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi made the decision Friday.
- Mudavadi said that the government reiterates its support for the farmers of our great nation to improve farm yields.
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The government has suspended distribution of subsidised fertiliser following public outcry over quality concerns.
A dispatch released Friday after a National Development Implementation Committee (NDIC) meeting chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the suspension is to pave the way for investigations.
"The NDCI expressed concern regarding the public outcry about the fertiliser currently being distributed to farmers, given the significance of Agriculture as one of the key pillars of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). It was noted that investigations into this matter are currently underway," the dispatch read.
"As a precautionary measure, the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has been directed to suspend the further distribution of fertiliser until the investigation is concluded and a report is provided."
Head of Public Service Felix Kosgei also attended the meeting in his capacity as NDIC vice chairman and Convener.
NDIC is mandated to oversee the implementation of all National Government programmes, policies and projects and has membership of all Principal Secretaries.
The meeting affirmed government's commitment to support farmers towards ensuring the country produces improved yields.
“Upon consideration of the above issues, which touched on the lives of Kenyan citizens, NDIC affirmed that after the completion of the fertiliser investigations, those found culpable will face the full force of the law," the meeting resolved.
"Further, Principal Secretaries were guided to ensure that the laws relating to procurement were fully complied with and to ensure that adequate and thorough due diligence was conducted to avoid dealing with mediocre entities that lack integrity and capacity to deliver on goods and services contracted for."
There have been widespread reports and complaints by farmers that they are buying substandard fertiliser from NCPB stores.
A 50kg bag of government's subsidised fertiliser goes for Sh2,500.
A section of farmers claimed they found manure mixed with the fertiliser even as the government assured that the fertiliser passed all quality checks before importation.
"There is no fake subsidised fertiliser being sold in the market. The government is supplying quality and standard fertiliser to farmers across the country," Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi said on Tuesday.
Speaking when he toured the Elburgon NCPB depot, Linturi urged farmers not to turn themselves into experts and make assumptions about the quality of fertiliser.
"Our farmers should desist from physical observation of fertiliser and making assumptions of its quality; those individuals doubting the quality of the fertiliser should avail it to laboratories for assessments," Linturi said.