Government orders destruction of 27,518 bags of expired fertilizer
The destruction of the expired fertilizer is expected to take place under the supervision of KEBS, with environmental and safety measures in place.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has ordered the immediate destruction of 27,518 bags of expired fertilizer stored at various National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots across the country.
Announcing the directive on Thursday, Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe stated that the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) will oversee the safe disposal of the Sulphate of Ammonia (21%) fertilizer, which was delivered to NCPB by Fine Tech Edge Ltd between December 27, 2024, and January 6, 2025.
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Before the fertilizer was supplied, KEBS conducted standard tests and confirmed that it met the required quality standards for Sulphate of Ammonia (21%N) and NPK fertilizers. As a result, NCPB received a total of 34,100 bags (50kg each) for distribution to farmers. However, upon delivery, NCPB flagged concerns over the product’s short shelf life, which was set to expire on February 28, 2025.
The board immediately notified the supplier and requested a replacement batch with a longer shelf life, citing concerns that the entire stock would not be sold before the expiry date.
Following standard procedures, any unsold fertilizer beyond its expiry date is not released into the market and must be safely destroyed.
Consequently, NCPB issued a sale stoppage order on February 27, 2028, preventing further distribution of the expired product.
On March 4, 2025, KEBS officially seized the expired fertilizer, halting any movement of the consignment pending safe disposal.
As per the consignment supply agreement, the fertilizer remained under the ownership of Fine Tech Edge Ltd until sold.
This means the supplier will bear the full financial loss and the cost of destruction, with no financial burden placed on the government or the public.
CS Kagwe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring Kenyan farmers access only high-quality agricultural inputs, emphasising that public health and environmental standards will not be compromised.
“The government is committed to upholding the highest quality standards for farm inputs. At no time will we allow substandard or expired products to be distributed to farmers,” CS Kagwe said.
He also urged agricultural suppliers and stakeholders to consider insurance coverage to protect against such losses in the future.
The destruction of the expired fertilizer is expected to take place under the supervision of KEBS, with environmental and safety measures in place.
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