The agricultural sector in Kenya has been rocked by a fake fertilizer scandal, with Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi launching an investigation into the matter.
The fertilizer, said to be fake, was distributed recently to farmers in different parts of the country, causing fury among a section of farmers who have called for the resignation of the CS over the scandal.
Interestingly, the scandal has a connection to Marianne Keitany, the ex-wife of the current Agriculture CS, Linturi. Keitany, who was once suspended by Deputy President William Ruto over a Kshs 200 million scam, was married to Linturi in 2016, but they divorced in 2016. In a twist of events, Ruto appointed Linturi as the Agriculture CS in 2023, a move that Keitany objected to and tried to stop.
The fake fertilizer, which was distributed under the name ‘Kelgreen‘, has been found to contain substances such as cattle-licking salt, black stones, and goat or sheep hair. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBs) has collected samples of the fertiliser said to be fake, with the results expected next week.
Keitany’s involvement in the scandal sheds light on the alarming reality of corruption within Kenya’s agricultural sector. The fallout from the scandal serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic reforms to combat corruption and ensure the integrity of Kenya’s supply chains.
The use of blockchain technology has been proposed as a solution to secure Kenya’s supply chains and prevent fake fertilizer scandals in the future. The technology can provide transparency, traceability, and security in the supply chain, making it easier to detect and prevent fraud.
In conclusion, the fake fertilizer scandal is a wake-up call for the Kenyan government to take action against corruption in the agricultural sector. The use of technology, such as blockchain, can help prevent such scandals in the future and ensure the integrity of Kenya’s supply chains.