John-Allan Namu: Politicians Tried to Kill Story on Fake Fertiliser Before Airing on TV

Investigative journalist John Allan Namu (left) and fertiliser suspected to have been mixed with stones.
Investigative journalist John Allan Namu (left) and fertiliser suspected to have been mixed with stones.
Photo
John-Allan Namu

Investigative journalist John-Allan Namu has revealed how politicians attempted to block the expose of fake fertilisers from being aired for the public.

Speaking before the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday, April 2, the renowned journalist revealed that some politicians from Parliament approached them before the story was aired.

He indicated that the unnamed politicians had the intention of ensuring that the investigative piece, which was titled FertileDeception, did not air on TV.

According to Namu, the politicians would likely have an interest in the investigations and join the Senate Committee in investigating the matter.

Investigative journalist John Allan Namu and the Africa Uncensored team appearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee on April 3, 2024.
Investigative journalist John Allan Namu and the Africa Uncensored team appearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee on April 3, 2024.
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John-Allan Namu

Nonetheless, he affirmed that the team from Africa Uncensored did not give in to the demands given that the leaders did not have the interest of Kenyans at heart.

"There are politicians who reached out to us to kill the story before it run. These politicians sit amongst you. They debate with you. They will likely be investigating along with you.

"But from where I sit, they do not have the honest and right intentions of the public at heart," he stated.

Namu made the revelation during the ongoing investigations of the fertiliser scandal. As reported by a section of farmers across the country, the fertilisers being distributed may have been mixed with stones.

It is suspected that unscrupulous businessmen took advantage of the government subsidy programme to make profits at the expense of the food security of the country.

Meanwhile, a section of government officials have disputed the fake fertiliser allegations, terming them as propaganda aimed at derailing President William Ruto's agenda in agriculture.

"Fertilisers being issued by the government have been tested and we have the analysis. They have been inspected and determined to be good for use. We cannot allow a situation where farmers are being duped," he stated.

The CS is also expected to appear before the agriculture committee during the investigations to shed light on the government's perspective.

Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi inspecting unga prices at supermarkets on November 23, 2023.
Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi inspecting unga prices at supermarkets on November 24, 2023.
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Mithika Linturi
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