Replace Pyrethrum Board with a revival caretaker, team recommends

By KARANJA NJOROGE

A task force report has exposed the rot at the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya (PBK) responsible for the woes afflicting the once vibrant sector.

The sorry state of affairs in the sector is evident at the PBK headquarters in Nakuru where electricity was disconnected three weeks ago.

Failure by the board to clear a Sh1.4 million bill has consigned PBK’s main offices into darkness forcing the management to rely on a generator. The task force was appointed to find ways of reviving the sector with the coming of the county governments.

It was appointed by Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua in consultation with Governors from other 19 pyrethrum growing counties.

The task force’s report indicted the management and outlined radical proposals to revive it including an over haul of the top management.

Management overhaul

Startling revelations of a Sh350 million modern plant that has remained uncommissioned at the PBK headquarters since 2006 emerged.

The PBK, according to the team, also risks losing 2,000 acres of prime land as it does not have title deeds.

Already, some of the land in the 19 pyrethrum growing counties is in the hands of private individuals.

The 21 member team cited low confidence of farmers in the PBK management as the major reason for the decline in pyrethrum production from 18,000 metric tonnes in the 1990s to 200 metric tonnes.

Led by Nakuru Deputy Governor Joseph Ruto, the task force called for a total overhaul of the PBK top management to save the crop which was once the fourth largest foreign exchange earner.

Disillusioned by lack of payment, hundreds of farmers have been abandoning the pyrethrum, opting to grow other crops.

The declining fortunes are evident at the PBK headquarters where an eerie silence greets visitors with little activity save for the vibrating sound of a generator.

The task force recommended that the managing director and four other top managers be replaced by an Intensive Caretaker Revival team.

It also asked the government to set up a new board of trustees and a board of directors to over see the running of the institution.

“The current leadership is disrespectful to farmers, workers, the county government and general public. They do not promote public confidence in the integrity of the industry,” reads part of the 19-page report.

Despite the government pumping over Sh1.3 billion in the last six years, the sector remains on its death bed. The task force said PBK managers leased the parastatals seedlings production land to private individuals for long periods.

The team noted that despite a Sh30million grant through the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) to revive propagation nurseries, the last time seeds were forwarded to the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS) for testing was in 2010. As a result, there has been a shortage of certified seeds for sale to farmers. The revelation confirmed fears by some of the farmers over the quality of seeds in the market.

The report comes amid growing calls for the government to liberalise the sector and urgently allow private firms and growers to start commercial production of clean seeds.

“Unless other players are allowed, PBK which enjoys a monopoly will continue oppressing farmers.”

According to the probe team, over Sh4 billion in stocks, cash and assets had been misappropriated over the years and a liability of Sh3 billion accumulated.

The team proposed that the board be reconstituted to reflect the devolved structure of government and regional representation.

A Board of Trustees comprising governors of pyrethrum growing counties of Nakuru, West Pokot, Nyandarua, Uasin Gishu and Kisii should also be formed.

To restore the sector back on its feet, the task force called for revival of nurseries and propagation of seed fields and offering of planting materials to the farmers.

Wrangles over assets

It has also proposed that pyrethrum growing counties join hands to raise Sh810 million for the revival.

Under the proposed sourcing of finances, the counties would contribute Nakuru(100 million), Nyandarua(60 million) while West Pokot, Kisii/Nyamira, Elgeyo Marakwet, Bomet/Kericho, Uasin Gishu will each donate Sh40 million each. In this year’s budget, the national government   allocated Sh300 million for the planned revival.

Problems at the Board have been perpetuated by wrangles on assets owned by the board in various parts of the country.

One of the prime plots in Nakuru town worth millions of shillings was discovered to have been registered to a private company.

Others parcels of land without valid titles include 46 acres in Londiani township, 50 acres in Keumbu, Kisii county and in Bomet and Nyahururu. “As a matter of urgency the PBK must establish the position of the title deeds and seek help of the respective governors,” the report said  

Despite the government pumping over Sh1.3 billion in the last six years, efforts to revive the industry have failed.

But speaking to The Standard on Sunday, PBK Managing Director Dr Isaac Mulagoli dismissed the task force saying it was composed of former employees with scores to settle against the management.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei has promised to act on the recommendation of the task force, saying he has analysed the report.