Ministry suspends top managers in fertiliser theft probe

Workers offload fertiliser at the National Cereals and Produce Board, Mosoriot depot, in Nandi County on April 23, 2016. According to Agriculture Principal Secretary Richard Lesiyampe, subsidised fertiliser has found its way into the hands of unscrupulous traders, found repackaging or adulterating it. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The PS said investigation on fertiliser theft was expected to end within a month and that the suspended officers who would be found innocent would be reinstated, while those found guilty would be prosecuted.

More than 20 National Cereals and Produce Board officers have been suspended over the rampant theft of subsidised fertiliser.

They included three regional managers from Nairobi, North Rift and Central as well as staff from various depots across the country.

According to Agriculture Principal Secretary Richard Lesiyampe, the subsidised fertiliser has found its way into the hands of unscrupulous traders, found repackaging or adulterating it.

The officers, he said, were colluding with the unscrupulous dealers.

The PS said so far, about 10,000 bags of fertiliser have been intercepted and returned to the stores.

“Cases have been reported in Kitale, Meru, Nakuru and Thika which are under police investigation,” Dr Lesiyampe said.

“It has therefore been decided that officers responsible for regions, depots and headquarters functions involved in the malpractice be suspended forthwith to pave way for thorough investigations,” he said of the 22 senior managers suspended for 60 days.

The PS said investigation on fertiliser theft was expected to end within a month and that the suspended officers who would be found innocent would be reinstated, while those found guilty would be prosecuted.

“Any other officer of the board found to have committed a malpractice will be similarly dealt with,” the PS said.