GACHAGUA RESSURECTS THE FAKE FERTILIZERS SCAM CASE

The recent claims by former DP Rigathi Gachagua that the government sold to farmers the 40,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer , which was donated by the Russian government , have sparked controversy among Kenyans.

This statement, seemed to be in concert with that made by former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, two years back while he was in the opposition camp.

Subsidisation of production and reduction of fertilizer prices was one of the major pillars in President Ruto's manifesto.

"Our strategy to bring down the cost of living will be to bring down the cost of production. For the short rains, we have made available fertilizer at Ksh.3,500 from Ksh.6,500," Ruto pledged on September 13, 2022.

Moments later, fertilizer prices dropped to Ksh.2,500 per 50kg in 2023 after a consignment of fertilizer was dispatched at the port of Mombasa.

Gachagua's revelations implied that, the farmers were persuaded into buying what was freely offered as a donation with the mentality that the costs had significantly been reduced.

"The Russian government gave us 40,000 metric tons of fertilizer as a donation. It was given to Maisha Minerals by the president and another 30 tonnes were given to these men, who blended and sold to the government," Gachagua said during a KTN interview.

"The fertilizer that came from Russia as a donation, which farmers were given free of charge? The ones that came from Algeria, which farmers were given free of charge? The president gave it to Maisha Millers, Devki his friend, blended, packed, and sold to the Kenyan government; they pocketed billions of shillings," he added.

While Raila was still in opposition, he used the same notion to slam President Ruto's claims of fertilizer price reduction.

"Hiyo mbolea wamepewa bure na serikali ya Urusi wagawanye kwa wakulima bure. Alafu anakuja kuuza na Ksh.2,500. Hiyo Ksh.2,500 wanapeleka wapi? Wamepewa bure tani 34,000 wakaongeza mchanga, ndani yake sasa imefika Ksh.100,000. Alafu wanakuja kusema wameshukisha bei. Uongo hiyo," Raila claimed on September 10, 2023.

After this, came the CS Linturi's fertilizer scandal, which led to his sacking, however the President still maintained on the viability of these fertilizers.

"They are telling us there were some 30,000 tonnes of fertilizer from where… We have supplied fertilizer that is scientifically tailored for all the soils in the region… Those telling us we have sold sand or soils, it is because they believe in voodoo, we believe in science," Ruto maintained on September 11, 2023.

The political trajectory might have shifted but nothing have yet changed on the losses farmers had to suffer in purchasing fake fertilizers.