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{
    "id": 1409046,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1409046/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 174,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nominated, Jubilee",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Sabina Chege",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "the business people. We also went to the ground. Last weekend, we were in Kitale, Eldoret, Meru, Embu and many parts of this country to engage farmers. For the record, it is important for the House to know that the fertiliser that has been distributed in the Financial Year 2023/2024 is around 4.8 million bags. It is the same quantity that was distributed in the Financial Year 2022/2023. The first bunch that was distributed last year, that had no questions, was procured by Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC). The bunch, that has brought attention, of about 3000 bags which is fake was distributed by NCPB which is a parastatal that is run by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board. As a Committee, we looked into this issue. A manufacturer called Mems Distributors Ltd was awarded a contract to distribute fertiliser that he had not produced before. He approached Kel Chemicals Ltd and requested them to produce Kel Green Fertiliser and the formula was given. It was taken to KEBS and got the approval. After this, they produced the first 50,000 bags that were of good quality. When we spoke to farmers, they were happy. Later on, NCPB gave a contract to the same company—Mems Distributors Ltd that is not a manufacturer but a supplier and distributor—to distribute extra 500,000 bags of fertiliser. What happened? The businessman became greedy. The total number of bags of KEL Green fertiliser that were distributed by KELS Chemicals Limited and that are on record were only 69,000. Remember, around 4.8 million bags have been distributed in the republic. I would like this House to ask itself who the guilty party is. We may be a bit emotional and upset because farmers are definitely suffering. That is the truth. The House should also know that the KEL Green fertiliser was distributed through the Government programme. There is also the GPC Organic fertiliser, which is manufactured by a different company, which approached the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and requested them to distribute their fertiliser on their behalf, not as a Government programme. If you followed reports in the media, this is the fertiliser that had some soil mixed with manure and yet, it was called organic fertiliser. We have a chain here. There is the NCPB, which is the distributor, and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). There is also Mr. Kariuki, who is the person behind the GPC Organic fertiliser. When he was asked about what he was supplying, he shamelessly told the Committee to ask the KEBS. Even he did not know what he was supplying to the farmers. Remember, this was not part of the Government programme. I have a lot of respect for the Member who brought this Motion. As we prosecute this matter, I urge Members to take their time and allow the Committee to table a proper report on what happened. This is because we have crooks masquerading as businesspeople in Kenya. They should be named and shamed in this House, and also jailed for taking advantage of innocent farmers. I know many Members may say that the Cabinet Secretary is arrogant, uncouth, and unqualified. That is neither here nor there because this House approved his appointment. However, the question remains: who gave our farmers fake fertiliser?"
}