In his first months into the government, President William Ruto subsidized fertilizer in renewed efforts aimed at tripling food production hence bringing down the cost of living.
The Head of State launched the second phase of the fertilizer subsidy program that reduces the price of the commodity for farmers countrywide further from KSh 3,500 to KSh 2,500.
“For the coming short rains, the government has embarked on the distribution of fertilizer to farmers throughout the country, intending to ultimately deliver 100,000 MT, or 2 million 50kg bags, at a subsidized cost of KSh 2,500,” he stated.
However, the majority of the vulnerable farmers did not directly benefit from the program with Kenyans suspecting that the fertilizer might have been stolen.
In what appeared that their thinking was right, on Wednesday, January 3, detectives from the Director of Criminal Investigations unearthed stolen government fertilizers at the Grace Covenant Church in Narok.
In an operation conducted by the sleuths, 252 bags of President William Ruto’s subsidized fertilizer and other property were recovered.
Robert Kipng’etich Bett alias Raphael who was alleged to be a farm manager employed by a Kericho-based businessman Joseph Kiplangat Keter was arrested at Ololulunga in Narok South, being the custodian of the fertilizer found stored at the Grace Covenant Church.
“Following the recovery of 252 bags of 50kg each suspected stolen GoK fertilizer at a Narok Church hall yesterday, a male suspect was today arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts charged with conveying suspected stolen property,
“As investigations continue, the arraigned suspect was released on a KSh 500,000 cash bail pending the 1st hearing of the case on Friday, January 5, 2024,” DCI stated.
His arrest brought to nine the number of suspects who have been arrested and charged for fraudulently obtaining government fertilizers, including several officials from the Ministry of Agriculture.
