The success of the Ksh10.8 billion fertiliser subsidy programme is in doubt after the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) was directed to suspend it until further notice.
In a National Development Implementation Committee (NDIC) meeting chaired by Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi and attended by all principal secretaries, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, they agreed that the program would be suspended pending the investigation of allegations of fake fertiliser being distributed countrywide.
Mudavadi noted that a report would be tabled following the conclusion of investigations to review the findings.
The committee also expressed concern regarding the program, highlighting that it stands as one of the key pillars of President William Ruto's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
NDIC reaffirmed that those found culpable of sabotaging the program would face the full force of the law.
"Further, PSs were guided to ensure that the laws relating to the procurement were fully complied with and to ensure that adequate and thorough due diligence was conducted to avoid dealing with mediocre entities that lack integrity and capacity to deliver on goods and services contracted for," the statement read in part.
Earlier, Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi rubbished claims of fake subsidised fertiliser, noting that the product undergoes scientific examinations and approvals before circulation to Kenyan farmers.
"The fertiliser being distributed is one that has undergone various levels of approval. We cannot allow a situation where our farmers are hoodwinked," Linturi stated in Nakuru on March 26, 2024.
President Ruto had also warned cartels selling fake fertiliser would 'face the music.'
"We are going to make sure that those who sell fake seeds and fake fertiliser face the music that they deserve," Ruto stated on Wednesday, March 27.
Other resolutions made during the meeting involved forming corruption prevention committees to be chaired by the PSs in their respective ministries. These committees would be essential in curbing graft in the government.
The PSs were also directed to develop a framework that reviews existing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with other countries to monitor progress. This is after concern was raised that several bilateral agreements signed by Kenya and other countries were yet to materialise.
