By Peter Ochieng
Kenya Bureau of Statistics (KEBS) and the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) bosses failed to attend a meeting with members of the National Assembly Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to discuss the alleged sale of counterfeit fertilizer in the country.
KEBS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Esther Ngari and NCPB Managing Director Joseph Kimote, were expected to appear before the committee on Tuesday to brief the James Gakuya, Embakasi North MP-led committee on the reported distribution of fake fertilizer to farmers.
They however failed to attend, to the disappointment of the MPs who were eagerly waiting for them.
The two in separate letters explained why they failed to appear before the legislatures.
Ngari cited her attendance at the ongoing national wage bill conference, while Kimote stated he was unwell.
It was clear that the explanations provided by the state agency officials, did not convince the MPs, who expressed their dissatisfaction with the reasons given by the duo.
Gakuya and committee Vice Chairperson Marianne Kitany, criticised the officials for not taking the committee’s work and concerns seriously.
“The issue of fake fertiliser is of national importance, and it is unacceptable that the heads of these agencies did not delegate the responsibility of appearing before the committee to other officials,” stated Gakuya.
“Government entities are continuous because the NCPB boss is indisposed doesn’t mean business at the agency stopped. The fake fertiliser matter is very important and whoever is sitting in for him ought to have appeared before this committee,” added Kitany.
The Chairperson directed that both officials appear before the committee within a week, to address concerns regarding the matter.
Elsewhere, lawmakers have raised concerns about the practicality of the government’s plan to require all school fees to be paid through the e-Citizen platform.
Members of the National Assembly committee on Education and Research led by Malulu Injendi (Malava), met with Julius Bitok, the Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizen Services, regarding the implementation of the presidential directive on payment of school fees through the e-Citizen platform.
Members of the committee questioned the feasibility of the plan, particularly for families living in remote areas without reliable internet access and electricity.
“How will parents in villages be expected to pay school fees online?” asked Nyamira County Women Representative Jerusha Momanyi.
Bitok acknowledged the challenges but defended the plan, stating that e-Citizen has a “robust system” to streamline school fee collection.
He emphasised ongoing consultations between his department and the Ministry of Education to address concerns.