By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
Farmers who might have fallen victims of the fake fertilizer scam might soon be compensated.
President William Ruto on Monday announced that he had directed relevant authorities to ensure anyone who bought the fake fertilizer is not only compensated but also given free fertilizer.
The President further said individuals behind the scan are out to sabotage his government’s food production plan.
“A few criminals are trying to sabotage the important job of food production,” the Head of State said.
“I have directed that if farmers bought any fertiliser and it was of poor quality, they should be compensated and given free fertiliser,” he added.
The government has for the last two years been providing farmers with subsided fertilizers.Under the program, farmers access the fertilizer through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and Ksh2,500 per 50 kilograms bag.
The program has however faced controversy after a section of farmers reported purchasing low quality bagsSome farmers reported buying bags of fertilizer that only had stones.
Initially, the government denied existence of the fake fertilizers.
But last week, the ministry admitted that some of the fertilizer supplied were of low quality.
It directed NCPB to stop selling the fertilizer that had been marked as substandard by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBs).
In addition, the government said it would sue the company behind the fake fertiliser.
Meanwhile, President Ruto assured farmers of sufficient subsidized fertilizers.
He issued the assurance during an impromptu visit to the Eldoret NCPB depot earlier in the day before flying to West Pokot for the official opening of the Cemtec Cement company.
