Gov't Spokesperson Mwaura: No Need For Linturi To Resign Over Fake Fertiliser Saga

 

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has been defended by government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura in the midst of an ongoing investigation into fake fertiliser distributed in Kenya under the guise of government-subsidized fertiliser.

Linturi, his Trade Counterpart Rebecca Miano, and officials from the National Cereal and Produce Board (NCPB), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have been summoned by the Senate to explain why fake fertiliser was distributed in government depots.

Mwaura stated on Thursday that Linturi is not directly linked to the scandal, and that those calling for the minister's resignation are unlikely to succeed.

“That is a long shot. There is no way he is culpable of this, he is not involved. The investigations are ongoing and so far the minister of agriculture is working his level best to deliver,” said Mwaura.

According to the government spokesperson, an investigation is underway to determine whether or not fake fertiliser is in circulation.

He speculated that it could be a scam by people he described as political competitors attempting to sabotage the government's efforts to distribute subsidised fertiliser to farmers.

According to Mwaura, NCPB distributed the fertiliser through agency depots.

“You can use a government agency like the postal corporation to distribute courier services by contracting it. It’s the same case with Capital Kenya Limited. It is not NCPB itself,” he said.

The government spokesperson said that besides the board, fertiliser has been distributed through agro-vets and other outlets “which might have served as conduits.”

“All fertilisers under the government-subsidised program are sold in clearly labelled bags,” said Mwaura.

The DCI impounded 700 50-kilogram bags of fake fertilizer in Kakamega last month while in Nakuru, detectives seized 560 bags intended for delivery to Molo NCPB stores.

Over 2,650 bags which had already been supplied to farmers have so far been recalled.