Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has directed the immediate shutdown of KEL chemical company pending investigations of fake fertilizer supplied to farmers.
In a statement on Friday, April 12, CS Linturi also ordered the manufacturing license issued to the company to be revoked immediately.
The Agriculture CS issued the directive after he visited the company’s manufacturing plant in Thika town, Kiambu County.
“This afternoon, I visited the KEL Manufacturing plant in Thika town as part of an ongoing investigation, where 3000 bags supplied from the company were found to be substandard. I have directed withdrawal of the manufacturing license for the KEL Chemicals Factory & its immediate closure pending probe by our investigative authorities,” read the statement in part.
CS Linturi mentioned that his ministry is committed to utilizing all legal provisions to ensure those exploiting the government's subsidized fertilizer program, face the full force of the law.
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“Safeguarding the interests of our farmers is paramount, & we will spare no effort in fulfilling this duty,” Linturi added.
This comes a week after the Agriculture CS suspended Kelphos Plus, Kelphos gold, and NPK 10:26:10 fertilizers which are distributed by KEL Chemicals.
“Following release of test results by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the government has taken decisive action to safeguard the agricultural sector and farmers by announcing the immediate suspension of KEL Chemicals’ operations and seizure of its fertilizer products,” read the statement in part.
According to the ministry, the affected consignment was distributed by KEL Chemical fertilizers between 5th and 10th March 2024.
