Senators begin fake fertiliser probe by watching exposé on scandal

Senators on Tuesday began a probe into the fake fertiliser scandal after watching a documentary that exposed how farmers across the country have been buying fake fertiliser from government stores.

The Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Committee, chaired by Kirinyaga Senator James Kamau Murango, on Friday last week announced that they will begin a thorough probe that will see them summon responsible cabinet secretaries and also visit farmers and government stores across the country.

On Tuesday, the committee watched the Africa Uncensored documentary, 'Fertile Deception' in the presence of its producers, who were present to answer queries from the lawmakers.

Journalist Allan Namu said that he is hoping that the probe will help bring the perpetrators to book. "Africa Uncensored spent the better part of the afternoon screening 'Fertile Deception' for members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, who have just commenced an investigation into the fake fertiliser issue. Hopefully, something comes of this," said Namu.

Cynthia Gichiri, the reporter and producer of the documentary says 'Fertile Deception' is a thought-provoking documentary that exposes the dark side of fertiliser distribution in Kenya. "This two-year-long investigation delves into a specific product that was excavated, packaged, branded, and sold to unsuspecting farmers through NCPB stores across the country under the guise of organic fertiliser."

The investigative journalist explains that through secret filming, laboratory tests, and experts' analyses, the documentary raises questions about whether there was a sinister plan to dupe farmers through the program.

The committee want to establish how the substandard fertiliser passed quality tests and ended up on the market.

They have summoned cabinet secretaries Mithika Linturi (Agriculture) and Rebecca Miano (Trade), and officials of the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) over the fake fertiliser scandal that has seen farmers across the country lose money.

They will face the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Committee, chaired by Kirinyaga Senator James Kamau Murango, with Miano explaining how the substandard fertiliser passed its quality test, as the KEBS falls under her docket.

Speaking in Kirinyaga on Friday evening, Murango said in Swahili, "Tumeita waziri wa kilimo, waziri wa viwanda Rebecca Miano na KEBS, ambao wanashughulikia ubora wa bidhaa, tujue ni vipi mbolea gusi ilifikia wakulima."

This loosely translates to, "We have summoned the agriculture minister, the trade minister, and KEBS, who are concerned with product quality, to understand how the substandard fertiliser reached farmers."

This comes even as the government suspended the distribution of fertiliser under the subsidy programme after it was established that some of the vital farm inputs on the market may be substandard.

The state further ordered a probe into the fake fertiliser distribution and for individuals found linked to the scam to be prosecuted.

The National Development Implementation Committee (NDIC), chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, directed the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to stop the distribution of fertiliser to allow investigations into the matter.

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

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

"The NDIC affirmed that after the completion of the fertiliser investigations, those found culpable will face the full force of the law," said the committee in its report.