Where did Russian fertilizer donation to Kenya go
3 min read
Kenya received in May 2023 received 34,400 tonnes of fertilizer donation from Russia but its usage remains a mystery to date
Kenya received in May 2023 received 34,400 tonnes of fertilizer donation from Russia but its usage remains a mystery to date.
A video showing President Vladimir Putin announcing the recipients of the inputs on Wednesday, August 2, has prompted some Kenyans to doubt the 34,000 tonnes of free fertilizer that the Kenyan government received from Russia as a donation to increase food production.
The government allegedly sold the same fertilizers to farmers at a discounted rate rather than giving them away for free as required by Russia, according to vocal government critics and some opposition officials.
The government had in May 2023 received 34,400 tonnes of fertilizer in its raw form as a donation from Russia to boost farm production.
The fertilizer discharged at the port of Mombasa was to be reformulated to produce a total of 100,200 tonnes and distributed to farmers under the Fertilizer Subsidy Programme through outlets owned by the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) and National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
While receiving the donation that comprised potash, urea, and NPK, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi said the processed fertilizer was not to be sold beyond Sh3,500 per bag.
He was accompanied by the Russian ambassador to Kenya Mr Dmitry Maksimychev and Secretary for Administration at the Ministry of Trade Mr Avans Achoki among other officials.
Linturi thanked the Russian firm for the donation and said that the fertilizer will be granulated and bagged at a cost before being sold to farmers at a subsidized price.
“It will then be sold to farmers under Fertilizer Subsidy Programme. It is planned that a total of 100,200 tonnes of reformulated fertilizer will be produced from the 34,000 tonnes we are receiving today. The fertilizer we are receiving will be used as raw material to produce bigger quantities,” he said.
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Putin in an address to African leaders at the just concluded Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, said that Kenya and Malawi were the first beneficiary of the fertilizers and more countries could soon join the list.
The Russian President in his statement insisted that the fertilizer was supposed to be distributed to farmers for free, which further raises questions as to where the large consignment went.
However, how the fertilizer was used in Kenya remains a mystery with sections of Kenyans asking its whereabout.
“President Putin says Russia gave Kenya 34,000 metric tonnes of Free fertilizer. Question to Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, where is the donation?” Former Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando posed.
“President Vladimir Putin donated over 30,000 metric tons of free fertilizer to Kenya and he insists it should have been provided to farmers free of charge,” Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Communications Director Phillip Etale stated.
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