Top officials at the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) are under scrutiny following allegations of fake fertilizer being distributed across the country. Members of Parliament have called for a special audit to investigate the issue, with the possibility of prosecution for those involved in the scandal.
The National Assembly Public Investment Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy has directed the Office of the Auditor General to conduct an audit within one month to determine if there was collusion between KEBS officials and individuals involved in the scandal. The audit will also look into the track and trace mechanisms used by KEBS to recall all fake fertilizers distributed by NCPB.
KEBS Managing Director Esther Gitari assured MPs that the fake fertilizer had been seized from NCPB stores and that steps were being taken to recall all products from the market. However, questions were raised about why those responsible for the scandal had not been arrested yet.
Lawmakers expressed concerns about the impact of the fake fertilizer on farmers and demanded answers on how the substandard product made its way into the market. They also called for a refund for farmers who had purchased the fake fertilizer.
Documents presented to the parliamentary Committee by KEBS revealed how SBL-Innovate Manufacturer Limited supplied substandard fertilizer under the guise of organic fertilizer. The firm had obtained certification from KEBS but was found to be supplying a different product to NCPB stores.
The scandal has raised serious questions about the oversight mechanisms in place to protect consumers from harmful products. The special audit report will shed light on the extent of the issue and hopefully provide justice for the affected farmers.
