Kenyan Man Confronts Ruto With Question On Fake Fertiliser During His US Tour: "Lost KSh 250k"

• President William Ruto is on a historic four-day state visit to the United States of America (USA)
• During his meeting with Kenyans living in the diaspora, Ruto was confronted with the question of the fake fertiliser scandal
• A Kenyan narrated to the president how he lost KSh 250,000 after purchasing 100 bags of fake fertiliser

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

President William Ruto has held a meeting with Kenyans living in the United States of America at the Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta, Georgia.

The president engaged with the Kenyans on a wide range of issues, including answering their pressing questions.

During the question-and-answer session, one Kenyan asked the head of state about the fake fertiliser scandal.

How many bags of fertiliser did the Narok man buy?

A Kenyan, identified as Atom Ongosi, who does farming in Narok but resides in New York, said he lost over KSh 250,000 in the fake fertiliser scandal.

Ongosi told the president he bought 100 bags of fertiliser that turned out to be fake, but his efforts to seek a refund were unsuccessful.

"I lost over KSh 250,000 on fake fertiliser, which was sold to us by the National Cereal and Produce Board. So from your office and from the ministry that is standing in for agriculture, as farmers, we are suffering on this end of getting things that, really, I'm not sure if the government knows or the government has party to it or what it is that you need to tell us as farmers, because I'm trying to fight for my refund of almost 100 bags I got for fake fertiliser," Ongosi said.

What William Ruto said about fake fertiliser

In his response, Ruto assured him that the government compensated all farmers who bought the fake fertiliser.

The president disclosed that his administration has already captured the details of 7,000 farmers affected by the scandal.

"We asked every farmer who bought fertiliser that was finally identified not to be good to register. 7,000 farmers registered, and we already compensate every farmer. You will get equivalent fertiliser without having to pay," Ruto said.

Ruto also pointed out that all those involved in the scandal would be prosecuted and that senior NCPB officers would be suspended.

How NCPB will compensate farmers

As reported earlier, NCPB will compensate farmers who bought the fake fertiliser.

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.

Other stories related to the fake fertiliser scandal

• Kenyan farmers raised the alarm over fake fertilisers bought at KSh 2500 per bag.
• Charles, a farmer, shared pictures of the fertiliser he bought from an NCPB store in Luanda, which appeared to be mixed with cow dung and small stones
• KEBS established that the fertiliser in question was only 40% organic and contained diatomaceous elements.

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke