Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has announced that the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has received 2.3 million bags of fertilizer, and farmers have redeemed 2.1 million bags so far.

Addressing the media on Thursday, Mwaura said that the farmers have collected the fertilizer from the NCPB stores and the 158 selling centers operationalized under the devolved governments’ Last Mile program through the e-voucher system.

Further, Mwaura explained that the government fertilizer subsidy program aims to cushion smallholder farmers from fertilizer price fluctuations, ensuring that they produce competitively and contribute to the alleviation of the high cost of living.

According to Mwaura, fertilizer has been disbursed to 45 Counties and farmers have received vouchers in Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Embu, Garissa, Homabay, Kajiado and Kakamega.

Others include Kericho, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Muranga, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Siaya, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Tharaka Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga and West Pokot.

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Additionally, he revealed that the farmers database in the Kenya Integrated Agriculture Management Information System (KIAMIS) stands at 5,533,898.

“In the past few weeks, complaints of fake fertilizer being in circulation in some parts of the country have dominated our conversations around the economy. May I explain that investigations are ongoing with the aim of nailing down those behind the scam,” said Mwaura.

He explained that the initial tests by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) on the samples from the fake supplies have proved that the supplies were not among those supplied under the subsidy program through the NCPB.

“No one has come out to justify that the supplies by NCPB were counterfeited,” said Mwaura.

The government spokesperson said that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has taken up the matter and those found culpable of supplying not only the fertilizer but also any other form of fake farm inputs shall be apprehended and prosecuted.

“I also wish to clarify that the other type of fertilizer that has been flagged out as fake is a GPC product sold commercially under agency arrangement outside the NCPB system as a soil conditioner and not fertilizer,” explained Mwaura.

“The product is only being distributed through the Board’s depots by the 51 Capital (K) Limited and is not part of the GoK Subsidized Fertilizers availed to registered farmers.”

Mwaura said that the NCPB, being a State Corporation that generates its own revenue for its own operations and self-sustainability, engages in business partnerships with interested parties that provide farm inputs and other supplies on an agency basis as part of its commercial mandate.