Fertiliser Scandal: More Than 560 Tonnes of Donated Fertiliser Goes Missing

A fresh fertiliser scandal has hit the country again.

This is after reports from the Auditor General said at least 560 tonnes of donated fertilizer went missing.

The fertiliser from Russia was heading to Kenya and allegedly went missing from the high seas.

According to the report Kenya only received 33,835 tonnes of raw fertiliser, instead of the entire shipment of 34,400. t

The fertiliser difference of 565 tonnes is unaccounted for.

The missing consignment is confirmed not to have arrived in the port of Mombasa, despite leaving Russia.

Reports say that the consignment can produce at least 1,500 tonnes of ready-to-use fertiliser, estimated to cost close to KSh 200 million at the current market price of fertiliser in Kenya.

In March, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) confirmed that fake subsidised fertiliser.

The fertiliser known as GPC Plus Organics — packaged in 25kg bags was sold to farmers.

This was after an investigative report by Africa Uncensored, an independent investigative journalism firm.

KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari admitted that the counterfeit fertiliser was being sold to farmers.

She said this was done by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) during the busy planting season.

Australian billionaire 

Meanwhile, Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Future Industries is set to build a 300-megawatt (MW) green ammonia and green fertiliser plant in Kenya by 2025.

Speaking during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt, President William Ruto said the fertiliser plant will be built under a partnership agreement between the Kenyan government and Fortescue.

The Head of State noted that the new development is part of his efforts to boost food production and combat food insecurity in the region.

The partnership was signed in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt; Forrest was present at the signing of the deal.

“The shift will help reduce our reliance on imports, reduce fertilISer costs, boost food production, and ultimately mitigate the risks posed by food insecurity,” Ruto said.