Kenyan agriculture ministry accused of supplying fake fertilizers to farmers

The Kenyan agriculture ministry has been accused of supplying fake fertilizers to farmers, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) said.

Africa Uncensored was the first to report to the anomaly when it released an investigative report showing that a subsidised fertiliser known as GPC Plus Organics, packaged in 25kg bags, was exposed for sale in the market.

KEBS acknowleged the violation noting that the fake fertilizers were being sold by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).

So far, 5,840 bags of the fake fertiliser have been sold across the country of about 57 million people.

The news cast a shadow on the credibility of the agriculture ministry and triggered fears among farmers of a drop in maize yield this year.

A drop in maize production could worsen food security outlook in the country where over 1.6 million are believed to suffer food scarcity amid drought in some key farming areas, the World Food Programme said in a 2030 report.