Fake fertiliser probe: DCI summons SBL manager as gov't unveils compensation plan for farmers

The Ministry of Agriculture has directed the National Cereals and Produce Board to replace all the substandard fertilizers that were distributed to farmers as it escalates the probe into the fake fertilizer scandal.

Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh has confirmed plans for thorough scrutiny of the entire fertilizer supply chain warning of tough legal action against those found culpable.

His warning came, even as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations on Saturday summoned businessman Josiah Kimani Kariuki, the director of SBL Innovate Manufacturers Limited, to answer queries over the fertiliser saga.

"We are going to replace the fertilizer with the right fertiliser because it is under investigation for the farmers who have used the fertilisers already we have also analysed the missing component in those fertilisers which shall be addressed by top dressing fertilisers," said PS Ronoh.

On the magnitude of the impact, he said: "The impact is very negligible, very insignificant because we arrested this very early. These are the counties which started planting in March counties in the South Rift or North Rift."

His remarks come a day after the government suspended the operations of KEL chemicals and seized its fertiliser products following a report by KEBS that confirmed that it did not meet the required quality standards.

Ronoh has revealed plans to have a thorough scrutiny of the entire fertilizer supply chain warning of tough legal action against those found culpable of swindling innocent farmers.

"What you will be hearing are people in court, people in jail and some disappearing and the reason is we cannot allow our food basket to be messed by a few individuals," he stated.

His warning came as businessman Kariuki, was summoned by the DCI to be questioned on the ongoing probe.

Accompanied by his lawyers, the businessman insisted that his company is duly licensed and produces legitimate fertilizer.

"We applied for the licence through KEBS, they went to the factory, took a sample and asked me to send a methodology of what I was doing; I sent it, they came back and said you can start your business and that's how I started," said Kariuki.

His Lawyer Danstan Omari added: "Ako tayari kupeana list ya wakulima ambao wanatumia mbolea yake ili taifa zima na vyombo vya habari viende pale vidhibitshe iwapo mbolea hii ni gushi."

The businessman has in the meantime secured a court order barring the police from arresting and detaining him over the reported fake fertiliser scandal.

In a ruling delivered by High Court judge Justice Diana Kavedza on April 3, 2024, Kariuki was granted anticipatory bail of Ksh.100,000 and the matter was certified as urgent.

Through his lawyers, the businessman claims that he is being dragged into the fertilizer mess by his business competitors and those keen on concealing the truth.

"That competition is what has made them seek somebody to cling on to say that this is the person distributing fake fertiliser," Omari claimed.

"The government should just do a cleanup process and go to where this fertiliser is to find out who sold to them this fertilizer and who brought it because a paper trail must be there."

He was given a date with the DCI on Monday next week as he is also expected to appear before the Senate Committee on Agriculture on Tuesday.

The prevailing crisis in the agriculture sector attracted mixed reactions from a section of leaders who are now calling for increased awareness among farmers.