Homa Bay,
Sunday April 28, 2024
KNA by Davis Langat
Members of the parliamentary committee on Agriculture have called for tough measures against those behind the recent distribution of fake fertilizer in parts of the country.
The members led by Nyando legislator Jared Okello said that they have discovered 107 bags of fake fertilizers in the Homa Bay National Cereals and Produce Board(NCPB) depot. Okello said that the fake fertilizers had been identified and set aside in the depot.
He was accompanied by fellow committee members including Geoffrey Odanga (Matayos MP) and Peter Salasya (Mumias East) and were received by Governor Gladys Wanga.
“We have discovered that the fake fertilizers found their way to Homa Bay NCPB depot after a farmer who had bought six bags of the fertilizers raised a red flag,” Okelo said. He expressed concerns that over 60 bags of the fake fertilizer had been sold in Homa Bay county.
“It is evident that there are fake fertilizers in this NCPB depot. I want to encourage farmers who bought fake fertilizers to report,” Okello said.
The parliamentary committee members said they are going to compile their report over the fake fertilizers.
Salasya said their findings will determine whether more voices should come out to support impeachment of the Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi.
Wanga expressed concerns that Homa Bay got a fewer bags of fertilizers than what was recommended.
She said Homa registered 245,000 farmers who ought to have received 165 million bags, but the county received only 23,000 bags out of which some were fake. She told the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure Homa Bay gets its fair share of fertilizers.
“We were among the top counties which registered the highest number of farmers. Our demand is that Homa Bay should be given the quantity of fertilizers it deserves,” Wanga said.
Courtesy; KNA