Fake Fertiliser Scam: Kenya Govt Starts Compensating Farmers Who Bought KEL Fertiliser

• President William Ruto's administration admitted the existence of fake fertiliser across the country, jeopardising its subsidy programme
• Thousands of affected farmers raised concerns after they bought KEL fertiliser that turned out to be of substandard
• Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development directed the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to compensate the farmers
• Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Association of Kenya Farmers director Kipkorir Menjo urged the government to speed up the process and save the crops

TUKO.co.ke journalist Wycliffe Musalia brings over five years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Farmers who bought fake fertiliser will now get compensation from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mithika Linturi directed the NCPB to start the compensation process.

NCPB managing director Joesph Kimote urged affected farmers to file complaints and claims with the board.

“The Claim Declaration Form will be provided at the depot or selling centre where they bought the fertiliser. They are also required to present their original national ID cards and evidence of purchase, including the exhibits where applicable,” said Kimote, as quoted by KBC.

Why govt should speed up farmer compensation

In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, Association of Kenya Farmers director Kipkorir Menjo called on the government to expedite the process.

Menjo recommended compensation for top dressing instead of planting fertiliser, saying the planting season is already over.

"Unless the farmer requests the planting fertiliser because they want to plant wheat, whose planting season is now."

"The compensation component should be expedited so that the affected farmers can be able to strengthen their crops using the top dressing fertiliser," said Menjo.

Will fake fertiliser affect maize harvest?

The farmers' leader noted that the top dressing fertiliser would strengthen the maize, which was planted with the fake fertiliser, but the harvest would not be as good as expected.

"In the end, the yields may not be so good but will be better with top dressing. If they delay this process, the crops will not do well," he warned.

The NCPB said it would issue the farmers who used the substandard fertiliser with an equivalent amount of top dressing.

What farmers need to get fake fertiliser compensation

However, the farmers have to present evidence or documentation matching the existing records at NCPB.

Menjo advised that the government should use the SMS to trace farmers who bought the fake fertilisers.

"If they focus on receipts and the fake fertiliser sample, some farmers may miss out on the compensation, yet they are affected. Some of them do not have those receipts, but have the SMS," said Menjo.

He revealed that the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture will be in Eldoret on Friday, April 26, to take farmer views on fake fertiliser and the mode of compensation.

What you should know about fake fertiliser compensation

• The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) expressed grave concerns over the National Fertiliser Subsidy Program (NFSP), which faces accusations of incompetence, fraud, and corruption.
• LSK threatened to sue CS Linturi for the overgrowth of issues raised by farmers on the National Fertiliser Subsidy Programme.