NAIROBI, Kenya – Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has unveiled a shocking discrepancy: 564.1 metric tonnes of raw fertilizer, valued at approximately Sh197 million, have vanished before reaching Kenya’s National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
The missing fertilizer consignment was part of a larger donation of 34,400 tonnes of raw fertilizer from Russia, intended to strengthen Kenya’s agricultural sector amidst the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The fertilizer was expected to triple the production of ready-to-use fertilizer for Kenyan farmers, potentially impacting between 15,000 and 30,000 acres of land.
However, according to Nancy Gathungu’s audit report released on June 30, the 564 tonnes of fertilizer disappeared en route to Kenya, never reaching the port of Mombasa.
“NCPB received 33,835.9 metric tonnes, hence a short landing of 564.1 metric tonnes from the 34,400 metric tonnes donated by Russia. The cause of the short landing was not explained,” stated the public auditor.
The missing 564 tonnes of raw fertilizer could have produced 1,643 tonnes of ready-to-use product, valued at Sh197 million.
This shortfall is significant, especially considering that Russia’s donation aimed to produce 100,200 tonnes of fertilizer to combat soaring global fertilizer prices.
The Russian Embassy in Kenya had emphasized the importance of this donation, highlighting its potential to significantly aid Kenya in achieving a bountiful harvest.
The revelations of the missing fertilizer come at a sensitive time, with Nairobi’s support for Ukraine adding a layer of complexity to the already tense relationship with Russia.
The Auditor General’s report also criticizes the NCPB for its lack of transparency regarding the cost of purchasing and importing fertilizer for President William Ruto’s subsidy program.
The NCPB has not provided a comprehensive financial report detailing costs associated with the raw material, including shipping, transportation, and handling.
“Other costs associated with the raw material of fertilizer such as shipping cost, transportation cost from the port to the granulator, and handling costs were not disclosed and therefore it is not clear how much the Board was incurring per 50 kg bag,” Gathungu noted.
The situation has sparked public outcry, with young Kenyans demanding the resignation of Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi over the fertilizer debacle that resulted in farmers receiving substandard fertilizer.
The Auditor General’s findings have only intensified calls for accountability and transparency in the management of national resources.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who had previously flagged off subsidized fertilizer at the Syokimau Nairobi Freight Terminus on October 21, 2022, has yet to comment on the latest developments.
