NCPB ordered to stop fertiliser distribution amid counterfeit concerns

The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has been directed to suspend further distribution of fertilisers until investigations into counterfeits are concluded and a report is provided.

This comes amid rising cases of fake fertiliser, which have been seized across different parts of the country.

In a meeting chaired on Friday by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the National Development Implementation Committee (NDIC) noted that the decision was made due to public outcry about the fake fertiliser currently being distributed to farmers.

"As a precautionary measure, the NCPB has been directed to suspend the further distribution of fertilisers until the investigation is concluded and a report is provided," read the dispatch.

The NDIC affirmed that, upon the completion of the investigations, those found culpable will face the full force of the law.

"The National Government reiterates its support for the farmers of our great nation to improve farm yields," it added.

Additionally, principal secretaries were urged to ensure the laws relating to procurement were fully complied with and 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.

On March 23, detectives based in Nakuru impounded 560 bags of suspected fake fertiliser consignment delivered to Molo National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) stores with a street value of Sh1.4 million.

This was after a multi-agency team visited the depot to inspect the fertilisers on an intelligence-led operation.

The fertiliser, originating from a local company, was originally scheduled for delivery a day earlier.

However, the NCPB Agriculture Value Chain Vouchering online system indicated that the delivery was canceled over the fertiliser standards.

The delivery note document was seized and kept as an exhibit and one suspect was placed in custody pending arraignment.

In Koibatek, Baringo County, police officers also seized several bags of fake fertiliser in a crackdown on the sale and supply of the product

According to the detectives, some of the fertiliser in 34 bags seized, had stones, fake granules, and sheep and goat wastes, including fur.

The officers in Eldàma Ravine said they received reports from two members of the public from Poror Village of Poror/ Arama Location within Koibatek Sub County, that on different dates in March 2024, each of them bought the subsidized fertiliser from National Cereals and Produce Board Depot at Eldama Ravine totalling 34 bags of NPK fertiliser.

The complainants said that on opening the bags ready for planting, they realized that it was not real fertiliser.

The Sub County Security committee inspected the bags brought and informed the management of NCPB Koibatek to recall all 2,650 bags which had been supplied to farmers.

However, on Tuesday, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi dismissed the claims of counterfeit state-issued subsidised fertiliser.

Speaking in Kuresoi, Nakuru County, Linturi asserted that government fertiliser was scientifically tested and approved before circulation to Kenyan farmers, further advising them not to believe any hearsay on the same.

He, however, emphasised that the government has launched investigations, as a safety measure, to ensure that no counterfeit subsidised fertiliser is circulating.