NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) is under scrutiny for breaching national packaging laws by continuing to use 90-kilogramme bags for maize—despite a legal cap of 50kg per unit for food crops.
Senators say the practice is not only illegal but may be contributing to financial losses for farmers and placing unnecessary strain on food producers.
Raising the issue in the Senate, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei called out the NCPB’s non-compliance with the Crops (Food Crops) Regulations, 2019, which clearly stipulate that all food crops—maize included—must be handled, stored, and sold in packages not exceeding 50 kilos.
“In contrast, other food crops such as beans, cowpeas and pigeon peas are bought in 50kg bags. Why then is maize treated differently?” asked Cherargei.
The law, grounded in Section 36(3) of the Crops Act, prohibits any grower, dealer or processor from trading in food crops that are not packaged in line with the regulation.
Maize, which is among the listed crops, has continued to be sold and stored by the NCPB in heavier 90kg bags—raising concerns over legal violations and unfair treatment of farmers.
Senator Cherargei now wants the Senate’s Agriculture Committee to summon NCPB’s management to explain the rationale behind the practice and whether there are any plans to harmonise maize packaging with legal standards.
“The committee should interrogate the agency and establish why this disparity exists. Are there logistical or economic factors at play, or is this simply a case of deliberate non-compliance?” he said.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has already directed the Agriculture Committee to initiate an inquiry into the matter.
Lawmakers will also investigate the financial and operational impact of the current packaging standards on farmers, and seek to establish what reforms, if any, the NCPB is pursuing to ensure future compliance.
Meanwhile, senators also raised alarm over the continued frustration of farmers attempting to access subsidised fertiliser from NCPB depots.
Kirinyaga Senator James Murango decried the delays and technical failures in fertiliser distribution at depots in Sagana and Wanguru, despite farmers presenting valid vouchers.
“Farmers are being turned away due to system failures and stockouts. This not only jeopardises their planting schedules but also undermines the government’s own food security goals,” said Murango.
He urged the Ministry of Agriculture to move swiftly to address the delays and ensure fertiliser reaches farmers in good time.
The debate comes amid growing pressure on the government to address systemic inefficiencies in agricultural supply chains, with farmers facing mounting costs, delayed inputs, and now—potential financial harm from packaging discrepancies.
