Posted on May, 20, 2016 at 09:17 am
Twenty two senior managers of the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) have been suspended for repackaging and selling subsidised government fertiliser, denying farmers affordable farm input. Agriculture principal secretary Richard Lesiyampe said the suspension of the officials follows reports and cases of the abuse of the subsidy programme that has seen the fertiliser find its way to unscrupulous business people.
The PS said that these traders adulterate the commodity in a scheme that includes officials of the board.
“The ministry finds this situation unacceptable and it has, therefore, decided that the officers responsible for regions, depots and headquarters involved in this malpractice be suspended forthwith to pave the way for thorough investigations,” said Mr Lesiyampe.
This is the first time the government has cracked the whip to curb abuse of the subsidy plan that started in 2002 and sells a bag of fertiliser at Sh1,600 compared to market rate of Sh3,500.
The government has spent more than Sh16 billion in the plan in the last three years.
Farmers have been complaining of the scarcity of manure caused by unscrupulous individuals who divert the commodity and sell it at near market rates.
After repackaging, traders sell it at market price of about Sh3,000.
Farming accounts for a third Kenya’s annual economic output, but the high cost of fertilisers means farmers rely on subsidies or avoid using them, which hurts output.
Those suspended include regional managers for North Rift Samwel Yego, Dennis Mutai (Nairobi) and Gideon Muthuri (northern region).
Source: Business Daily Africa