- He said that the government's move to distribute subsidised fertiliser helps to cushion smallholder farmers from fertiliser price fluctuations.
- The government spokesperson said that the fertiliser that has been flagged as fake is a product sold commercially under an agency arrangement outside the NCPB system.
Image: EZEKIEL AMINGÁ
The government is investigating claims of fake fertiliser after an uproar from Kenyans, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has said.
Mwaura said that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations has started probing the alleged fake fertiliser.
"I want to assure you that those found culpable of supplying not only the fertiliser but also any other form of fake farm inputs shall be apprehended and prosecuted," he said.
He said that the government's move to distribute subsidised fertiliser helps to cushion smallholder farmers from fertiliser price fluctuations.
The government spokesperson said that the fertiliser that has been flagged as fake is a product sold commercially under an agency arrangement outside the NCPB system.
"The product is not part of the GoK subsidised fertilisers availed to registered farmers," Mwaura said.
He said that all fertilisers distributed under the Government Subsidized Program are sold in bags clearly labelled as "Government Subsidised Fertiliser" and marked "Not for Resale."
He added that NCPB has so far received 2.3 million bags of fertiliser and farmers have redeemed 2.1 million bags of fertiliser from the NCPB stores.
Mwaura added that 158 selling centres have been operationalised under the devolved governments' last mile program through the e-voucher system in 28 counties since January this year.
He said the farmers database in the Kenya Integrated Agriculture Management Information System (KIAMIS) stands at 5,533,898.
Mwaura said that fertilizer has been disbursed to 45 counties and farmers have received vouchers in Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeiyo Marakwet, Embu, Garissa, Homabay, Kajiado, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kakamega, Kericho and Kiambu.
Other counties are Kilifi, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Muranga, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Tharaka Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga, West Pokot.
He added that among the counties that have received the fertiliser, no farmer has come out to justify that the supplies by NCPB were counterfeited.
"The NCPB being a state Corporation that generates its revenue for its operations and self-sustainability, as part of its commercial mandate, engages in business partnerships with interested parties that provide farm inputs and other supplies on an agency basis," he said.
He assured farmers of the government's commitment to quality service delivery to all farmers in a transparent, ethical and professional manner through its respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).