The government has allayed fears that public funds are being used to compensate farmers who received fake fertiliser.
In a statement published by Parliament on Saturday, April 27, the members of parliament who are on fact-finding mission assured the public that taxpayers' money will not be used in the exercise.
The National Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Livestock told the concerned citizens that the fund being used to compensate the farmers is what was meant to pay the suppliers of the substandard fertilizer which he claims has not been paid.
“No public funds are going to be used by NCPB to compensate farmers. The suppliers of the fertilizers flagged off as substandard haven’t been paid by NCPB and that is what we will use to compensate the affected farmers. 95% of the farmers have used the fertilizer so we will give them topdressing for the 5 % they will be given other brands of planting fertilizer,” the parliament report read in part.
Read More
At the same time, Nominated MP Sabina Chege who sits in the committee assured the agitated farmers that as a Committee they will ensure those involved in the scandal will be brought to book, adding that during their fact-finding they have learnt that some farmers are happy and they are going to name the good suppliers and the bad ones.
Her sentiments come after 110 MPs signed a petition calling for the ouster of Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi.
The MPs, drawn from both the Majority and Minority sides supported the motion by Bumula MP Wamboka Wanami who wants Linturi kicked out of office for gross misconduct, serious breaches of public trust, mismanagement of resources as well as gross violation of various provisions of the constitution by approving the procurement and distribution of fake fertilizer by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
“We presented a motion to the speaker yesterday backed by 110 members. We are waiting for the approval from his office so that we can discuss the matter either Tuesday or Wednesday," Wamboka stated.
