Posted on April, 3, 2024 at 09:35 am
Two weeks ago, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) confirmed that fake subsidised fertiliser known as GPC Plus Organics — packaged in 25kg bags — was circulating the market, after an exposé done by Africa Uncensored, an independent investigative journalism firm.
KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari admitted that the counterfeit fertiliser was being sold to farmers by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) during the busy planting season.
She acknowledged that though packed in government bags, the fertiliser lacked a seal from the standardisation agency.
“For months now farmers have unknowingly purchased the fake fertiliser. It is substandard and not suitable for sale,” she told parliament’s committee on agriculture, which later released a public notice asking farmers to be vigilant.
She added that KEBS officials have so far impounded 5,840 bags of the fake fertiliser across the country.
Agriculture Minister Mithika Linturi said a thorough investigation is underway, warning that public officials who will be found guilty will face legal repercussions.
However, Linturi has assured farmers that most of the subsidised fertilisers available in market are genuine, accusing the opposition of politicising the matter to incite farmers and the public.
“The opposition wants to sabotage President Ruto’s agenda of helping farmers get affordable fertilisers. This matter is being blown out of proportion,” he said on Monday.
Why is this government doing this to us? I thought I had bought affordable fertiliser only to discover that I was sold sand mixed with small stones
In recent weeks, Linturi has been under heavy criticism and pressure from the opposition coalition Azimio la Umoja to resign over the scandal. The opposition has accused him of economic sabotage.
“The government has failed on their promises to help farmers. They are now selling them poison instead of fertilisers. Linturi should leave office,” Kalonzo Musyoka, leader of the Wiper party.
Maize farmers in the North Rift and Western Region, are worried that the fake fertilisers may lead to a drop in maize production this year, resulting in further food insecurity in the country.
Peter Awusa, a maize farmer in Kakamega, says he unknowingly bought five bags of the fake fertiliser. He tells The Africa Report that he is traumatised after all his savings went to waste.
“Why is this government doing this to us? I thought I had bought affordable fertiliser only to discover that I was sold sand mixed with small stones,” he says, calling on the government to compensate him.
With the ongoing rains in his region, Awusa says he is now forced to plant his maize seedlings without fertiliser; he is not hopeful of getting a bumper harvest.
George Agutu, a maize farmer in Muhoroni, says he has now shifted from planting maize and sugarcane to poultry farming.
“I no longer trust fertilisers being sold by the government. I’m focusing on poultry this year. I’m not ready to lose my money and time,” he tells The Africa Report.
Over 1.6 million Kenyans face food scarcity primarily in the drought-affected areas, according to a report released by World Food Programme in 2023.
The situation is likely to remain dire if authorities do not stop circulation of the fake fertiliser to farmers, agricultural pressure groups warn.
Ann Maina, national coordinator at Route to Food, an NGO that helps small scale farmers produce quality and healthy foods, tells The Africa Report that the future of food security in Kenya remains bleak.
“The majority of Kenyans are likely to consume unhealthy foods. Production will be so low due to the fake fertiliser. Farmers and ordinary Kenyans will suffer,” she says, blaming the authorities of complicity due to greed and corruption.
At least a quarter of Kenya’s population, which is more than 13 million, lacks secure access to food, according to statistics from Route to Food.
Source: The African Report