NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 22 – Nyandarua Senator John Methu has raised concerns over alleged irregularities and possible favoritism in the distribution of subsidized fertilizer by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB). He highlighted significant disparities that have left key agricultural counties in central Kenya at a disadvantage.
On the floor of the Senate, Senator Methu accused the NCPB and the Ministry of Agriculture of conducting an opaque and seemingly biased distribution process, which has resulted in several counties receiving insufficient supplies despite their crucial role in national food production.
According to data presented by Methu, Uasin Gishu County received 413,103 bags of fertilizer, accounting for nearly 21% of the national allocation. In contrast, counties such as Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Meru, Nyeri, Murang’a, and Tharaka Nithi received much lower quantities. Additionally, agriculturally significant counties like Marsabit and Samburu reportedly received no fertilizer at all.
“These numbers raise serious questions. What criteria were used to determine these allocations? Why are counties that are vital to Kenya’s food security being left out?” Senator Methu questioned.
He called on the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, led by Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli, to investigate the allocation process by the Ministry of Agriculture and NCPB. Methu also demanded transparency regarding whether the allocations were based on verified farmer registration data and actual county-level demand.
“The Agriculture Committee must explain to the public the reasoning behind these glaring disparities,” Methu insisted. “We need to understand why counties in the highland region, our country’s food basket, are being sidelined in this crucial exercise. Fertilizer is a lifeline to our farmers, and any inequity in its distribution threatens national food security.”
The senator also requested clarification on whether the government has a clear strategy to ensure fair access to fertilizer subsidies and safeguards to prevent political or regional bias in future allocations.
In response, the Agriculture Committee is expected to summon officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and NCPB to clarify the allocation framework and provide evidence of due diligence in the distribution process. The Committee will also be tasked with recommending corrective measures to ensure fairness and transparency in future distributions.
This controversy comes at a time when farmers across the country are already struggling with rising input costs amid a high cost of living.