Senators question uneven distribution of fertilizer, where did it go.
County lawmakers, senators question uneven distribution of fertilizer.
Speaking to the senators, was Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, who had a session with the angry senators, to answer where is all that subsidised fertiliser promised by the Kenya Kwanza regime.
They questioned that regardless of President Ruto’s directive, the commodity is yet to reach many regions and farmers are preparing to plant with the onset of the rains.
The lawmakers further cited that there are no logistics in place, where distribution of the fertilizer reaches remote areas. This has forced many farmers to dig deeper into their pockets to ferry the commodity, hence the benefit of the subsidy is not felt.
Senator Kinyua stated,”The CS (through the Agriculture committee) should state the number of farmers in the county who have benefited from the national fertiliser subsidy since the programme began.”
“State measures in place to ensure that smallholder farmers in remote areas have access to the fertiliser,” he added.
Supporting him was Nyamira Senator Okongó Omogeni (ODM)who said the fertiliser has not reached his county despite Nyamira being classified as a beneficiary.
He stated,“The fertiliser has never been delivered to Nyamira. The sitting Cabinet Secretary has totally forgotten Nyamira county.”
“When you promise peasant farmers fertiliser, they know no other language. They trust what their leaders say. When they do not get the fertiliser, they ask us questions and we do not have answers,” he added.
Airing the same grievances was Kakamega senator, Boni Khalwale who stated that there is a logistical problem in distribution.
He stated,”The farmer goes from Ingolomosio to Kakamega town, queues there but goes back home because the queue was too long. When he repeats that attempt, the loss of money cancels out the savings on fertiliser.”
Nandi senator Cherargei also raised,”Therefore, the issue that we wanted is warehouse receipting.You do not expect somebody to drive to Mosoriot all the way from Gambogi, Nyang’ori, Serem or even Musasa near Vihiga to receive only two bags of fertiliser.”
Also read He may have been elected but he can not do it alone- Mama Rachel rallies youth behind husband