National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula on Wednesday, August 2, chided Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi over what he termed as shallow answers on pertinent issues concerning his ministry.
The Speaker abruptly interrupted Linturi while he was addressing questions regarding his ministry's unequal distribution of fertiliser across the country, particularly the lack of attention given to Samburu.
Sensing that the Cabinet Secretary did not have a cogent answer, the Speaker asked Linturi to take his time and get the right answers which would inspire confidence in his approach and grip on matters in his ministry.
"Your answers are shallow and do not address the issues that we are raising. You are not being helpful at all," Wetang'ula told the Cabinet Secretary.
Wetang'ula was particularly critical of Linturi's response to questions about the Ministry's product management processes. He accused the CS of providing vague and evasive answers, and of failing to provide the Members of Parliament with the necessary information.
"As a Cabinet Secretary, you must have facts about your Ministry at your fingertips. You can answer the question only if you have the facts.
"However, if you are not ready with accurate answers, you can seek the indulgence of the house so that you can share the answers later," Wetangula advised Linturi.
Linturi defended his answers, stating that he was providing the MPs with the information that they had requested. However, he acknowledged that some of the information may have been unclear.
"Mr Speaker, I would like to state that I will give comprehensive answers later, but it should be known that the government's fertiliser subsidy programme also took place in Samburu County," Linturi assured.
CS Linturi explained that the Fertiliser Subsidy Programme (FSP) is a government initiative that aims to improve agricultural productivity by making fertiliser more affordable to farmers.
He noted that the subsidy is available to all farmers, regardless of their size of their operations or location, but they must first register to enable their names to reflect on the government's database.
"Once they are registered, they can purchase subsidised fertilizer from NCPB-approved dealers," Linturi explained.
Speaking separately over the matter, President William Ruto revealed that fertiliser will now cost Ksh2,500 down from Ksh 3,500 per 50 kg bag.
In measures announced to increase food production, President Ruto stated the government has set aside Ksh10 billion to provide loans to farmers affordably.
He noted the reduction of the prices of fertiliser took effect from Tuesday, August 1, to which, he asked farmers to take advantage of the gesture to double the use of fertiliser for improved results.
He noted that on Tuesday, August 1, alone, 34,000 bags of fertilisers were sold after the prices were reduced to Ksh 2,500 per 50 kg bag.
"It's impressive that farmers have taken advantage of the move by government to subsidize the cost of production to engage in serious farming activities," he stated.
He maintained that increased production was the only way to reduce high cost of living in the country.
"Our farmers have gone beyond the call of duty to carry out a phenomenal job in making our country food secure through increased production," President Ruto stated.
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