Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over the weekend strongly condemned rogue individuals responsible for distributing counterfeit fertiliser to government depots, assuring Kenyans that those behind the scam will be brought to justice. 

Speaking in Kigali while addressing over 400 members of the Diaspora Community in Kigali, Rwanda, the DP revealed that initial findings showed unscrupulous suppliers had dispatched 50,000 bags of fake fertiliser—a volume that he, however, deemed insufficient to jeopardize the nation’s food security. 

“According to Gachagua, out of 40 million bags of fertilizer distributed under the program, approximately 50,000 bags have been identified as counterfeit, supplied by crooked suppliers,” the DP said.

“The quantity of fake fertilizer involved is very low. We’re not saying it’s right… We have swung into action, and people will go to court,” Gachagua added.

The DP highlighted that among numerous suppliers, only one provided substandard fertilizer, emphasizing the need for supplier scrutiny.

He affirmed the government has heightened its vigilance and stricter measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, aiming to safeguard the fertilizer market’s integrity and ensure food security.