The Kenyan government has clarified why fertiliser donated by Russia was blended and sold to farmers, following claims by impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that the inputs were misused and sold at inflated prices.
During the Russia-Africa Summit in August 2023, the Russian government donated 33,835 metric tonnes of fertiliser raw materials to Kenya. However, Gachagua alleged the fertiliser was rebranded and sold to farmers for profit instead of being distributed freely. He claimed private companies were handed the donations, re-sold them to the government at market rates, and pocketed billions of shillings.
In response, the government confirmed it indeed received the fertiliser but emphasized that the donation consisted of raw materials—Murate of Potash, Urea 46%N, and NPK 27:6:6:2S—that were not suitable for direct farm application. To make the fertiliser usable and crop-specific, the materials underwent a blending and granulation process, adding micronutrients to suit various agricultural value chains such as maize, rice, tea, and horticultural crops.
The statement indicated that the raw materials were transformed into 103,350 metric tonnes—or approximately 2.07 million 50kg bags—of usable fertiliser, which were then distributed under the National Fertilizer Subsidy Programme (NFSP). The government said this process significantly increased the amount and types of fertiliser available to farmers nationwide.
Local fertiliser companies were competitively invited to bid for the blending and granulation task. Maisha Minerals and Fertilizers Limited won the contract and was responsible for both the blending and distribution. According to the government, the cost paid covered additional raw materials, blending, granulation, and transportation to National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots.
The government stressed that all the subsidized fertiliser was distributed to registered farmers and that the blending process not only improved soil health but also allowed more farmers to benefit from the Russian donation.
This clarification aims to counter claims of misappropriation and highlights the government’s efforts to enhance agricultural productivity through value-added fertiliser distribution.
