NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has ordered the destruction of 27,518 bags of expired fertilizer stored at National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots across the country, raising fresh concerns over the quality and handling of farm inputs.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced the move on Thursday, stating that the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) will oversee the disposal of the Sulphate of Ammonia (21%) fertilizer, which was supplied by Fine Tech Edge Ltd between December 27, 2024, and January 6, 2025.
Although KEBS had initially approved the fertilizer before its distribution, concerns emerged when NCPB discovered the consignment had an unusually short shelf life, set to expire by February 28, 2025.
In response, the board halted sales on February 27, and KEBS moved in on March 4 to seize and prevent its circulation.
“The government remains committed to upholding public health and environmental standards while ensuring farmers receive high-quality inputs,” CS Kagwe stated.
He added that Fine Tech Edge Ltd will bear the full cost of destruction and loss, emphasizing that neither the government nor taxpayers would absorb the financial burden.
Kagwe also urged agricultural suppliers to ensure the quality and longevity of their products and advised industry players to adopt insurance coverage to mitigate such risks.
Meanwhile, the government has instructed Fine Tech Edge Ltd to deliver a new batch of fertilizer with a longer shelf life to avoid similar disruptions.
