Government suspends 22 NCPB managers over theft of subsidised fertilizer

Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Richard Lesiyampe during a meeting with National Assembly Agriculture Committee at County Hall, Nairobi on Tuesday 03/05/16. [PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO/Standard]

The government has suspended 22 managers of the National Cereals and Produce Board to allow police investigate the theft and adulteration of government-supplied subsidised fertilizer.

Addressing a press conference in his office at the Ministry's headquarters in Nairobi's Kilimo House, Agriculture principal secretary Richard Lesiyampe said at least 10,000 bags which had been stolen from government stores were intercepted and returned to the stores.

The government imported 137,000 metric tonnes (2.8 million bags of 50 kilogrammes) of subsidized fertilizer for the farmers.

The fertilizer was being distributed through NCPB stores in the country but thousands of these bags were stolen, diverted to connected businessmen in the open market.

"There have been reported cases of the subsidized fertilizer finding its way into the hands of unscrupulous traders who have been found repackaging or adulterating the fertilizer. This could be in collusion with the officers of the Board," said the Agriculture PS, flanked by the NCPB chairman Geoffrey King'ang'i and managing director Newton Terer.

"The Ministry finds this situation unacceptable as it undermines the overall goal of ensuring food security. It has therefore been decided that officers responsible for regions, depots and headquarter functions involved in the malpractice be suspended forthwith to pave way for thorough investigations," he added.

The affected officers are from the NCPB headquarters in Nairobi and regional bosses in the silos in at least eight counties.

The affected offices include Karatina, Nanyuki, Nakuru, Eldama Ravine, Kitale, Kisumu, Changamwe, Kobujoi, Turbo, Thika, Meru, Mosoriot, Kithimani, Kilgoris, and Enoosaen.

In the open market, a bag of fertilizer costs Sh3, 000, but the government fertilizer has been subsidized to Sh1, 800 per bag of planting fertilizer and Sh1, 500 per bag of top dressing fertilizer.

The tough action comes within weeks of complaints from farmers in Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia that the fertilizer they got from the cereals board was adulterated and led to withering of their maize crop.

The PS said the suspension will last for up to a month or until such a time when the investigations are concluded.

"...those found to have executed their duties diligently and efficiently will be allowed to resume duty while those who will be found culpable will have to part ways with the Board and may even face prosecution. Any other officer of the Board of whatever cadre who in the course of investigations will be found to have committed a malpractice will be similarly dealt with," said Lesiyampe.