Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi and his Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh are being sought by detectives for arrest and prosecution following approval of charges against them by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Linturi has been questioned by police over his alleged involvement in the scam, denying any wrongdoing and asserting his role as primarily policy-oriented rather than directly involved in procurement. However, investigations continue, with more individuals expected to undergo questioning.
This is part of a broader investigation into the alleged distribution of substandard fertilizer to farmers under the fertilizer subsidy program. The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Managing Director Joseph Kimote is also implicated in a separate investigation related to the scandal.
Linturi is currently facing an impeachment motion in Parliament as well as being accused of politicizing the issue. Kel Chemicals, a company involved in the scandal, has accused senior government officials, including Linturi, of complicity.
The Ministry of Agriculture has completed testing on fertilizers distributed under the subsidy program, identifying substandard products from Kel Chemicals.
Farmers are advised to cease using these products and seek guidance from NCPB facilities for replacements. The ministry has also directed NCPB to replace all substandard fertilizers distributed to farmers.
