Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has revealed that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has started looking into the fake fertiliser scam.
Mwaura's revelations come after reports of a massive supply of fake fertiliser in the country, and he has promised that those found guilty will face the law.
"In the past few weeks, complaints of fake fertiliser being in circulation in some parts of the country have dominated our conversations around the economy. The program further aims to cushion smallholder farmers from fertilizer price fluctuations, ensuring that they produce competitively and contribute to the alleviation of the high cost of living," Mwaura said in a statement.
"The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has taken up the matter, and I want to assure you that those found culpable of supplying not only fertiliser but also any other form of fake farm inputs shall be apprehended and prosecuted."
"I also wish to clarify, that the other type of fertiliser that has been flagged out as fake is a GPC product sold commercially under an agency arrangement outside the NCPB system as a soil conditioner and not fertilizer."
While defending the government over the allegations of supply of fake products, the former nominated senator said prior investigations have revealed the fake ones were not supplied under the government's subsidy programme.
"May I explain that investigations are ongoing over the allegations of fake fertiliser supplies to farmers with the aim of nailing down those behind the scam. Initial tests by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) on the samples from the fake supplies have proved that the supplies were not among those supplied under the subsidy program through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB)," he added.
Mwaura also revealed the data on the number of bags of fertilizer supplied to farmers through NCPB.
"The board has so far received 2.3 million bags of fertiliser, and farmers have redeemed 2.1 million bags of fertiliser from the NCPB stores and the 158 selling centres operationalized under the devolved governments' last mile program through the e-voucher system in 28 counties since January this year. For example, by yesterday, 102,984 bags were redeemed," the spokesperson added.
Distribution by counties
Mwaura says fertiliser has been disbursed to 45 counties, and farmers have received vouchers in Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeiyo Marakwet, Embu,Garissa, Homabay, Kajiado, Kakamega,Kericho, Kiambu, Kilifi, and Kirinyaga.
Kisii, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Muranga, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Tharaka Nithi, Transnzoia, Uasingishu, Vihiga, and West Pokot are also among the counties to have received the subsidized product.
"No one has come out to justify that the supplies by NCPB were counterfeited," Mwaura added.
