The Kenyan government has ordered the suspension of the distribution of NPK 10:26:10 fertiliser stating that it does not meet the stipulated quality standards.
Additionally, in a letter dated March 20, the local company manufacturing the fertiliser was ordered to halt the process with immediate effect.
This was after a visit from the Ministry of Agriculture officials and other stakeholders revealed that the Kenyan company was not adhering to standards of operation.
"Following a spot visit by Ministry staff led by the Principal Secretary to Counties and National Cereals and Produce Board stores, it was established that the above fertilizer being distributed under subsidy programme may not be meeting the required standards as earlier indicated," the letter from the Ministry of Agriculture read in part.
"Your institution is requested to suspend the distribution of this fertiliser with immediate effect from being issued to farmers."
The local company was further instructed to carry out investigations on the specifications of the fertiliser.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the fertiliser would only be re-introduced to the market if the company convinced officials that it met all required specifications.
"In the event that the fertiliser is found not to be meeting specifications the supplier will be penalised and meet the full cost," a warning was made.
Incidentally, the letter surfaced on Wednesday, March 27, a day after Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi remarked that there was no substandard fertiliser in the market.
Linturi had blamed the opposition for making the allegations, terming it as a way to sabotage the government.
The CS who was speaking in Kuresoi, Nakuru County had told farmers that subsidised fertiliser was scientifically tested and approved before circulation to farmers.
He then warned farmers benefiting from the program not to jump to conclusions based on hearsay.
