The Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Mithika Linturi, has been called upon by the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock to clarify issues surrounding the sale and dissemination of fake fertilizers to farmers.
Linturi, along with his trade counterpart Rebecca Miano and representatives from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), are among those who have been called upon to clarify the reasons behind the distribution of counterfeit fertilizers in government depots.
Initially, they were expected to appear on March 20, but the committee was informed that they had prior official commitments. All the parties were unavailable for the meeting except the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
The vice chair of the committee Brighton Yegon added that they are further scheduled to conduct visits to various NCPB depots across the country where they will also engage with farmers on the availability, fairness in the distribution, and the price and quality of the fertiliser sold to them.
“After the scheduled meetings and field visits, the committee will prepare a report on its findings for consideration by the House,” he said.
Yegon said his committee does not take the matter lightly, especially given its potential impact on the government’s plans towards making the country food secure.
“The agriculture sector plays a key role in the economic growth of our country and we therefore cannot allow fraudulent practices to mess with it. We wish to assure the country that we shall do everything within our mandate to ensure that corrective measures are put in place and that punishment is meted out to anyone found culpable of any malpractice,” he stated.
The recent controversy surrounding counterfeit fertilizers has sparked debate over Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi’s position, with some urging his resignation.
Nonetheless, Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has come to Linturi’s defense amid the ongoing investigation. Mwaura stated on Thursday that Linturi isn’t directly implicated in the scandal, dismissing calls for the minister’s resignation as unlikely to be effective.
Similarly, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi reiterated on Sunday that the government remains steadfast in its commitment to thoroughly investigate the issue, ensuring that those responsible are identified and face legal consequences.
Mudavadi emphasized the significant concern surrounding the fertilizer problem due to its direct impact on the lives of Kenyan citizens.
