Govt warns against sabotage of fertiliser subsidy programme
By Faith Lagat, March 13, 2026The Kenyan government has issued a stern warning against individuals and traders sabotaging the national fertiliser subsidy programme, describing such acts as economic treason that undermines food security and exploits hard-working farmers.
In a statement on March 13, 2026, the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, emphasised that the programme is meant to lower farm input costs, boost productivity, and enhance food and nutrition security nationwide.
“Let this be clear: This is an act of economic treason, and anyone sabotaging this programme, we are coming for you,” the CS declared in a post on X, highlighting the government’s resolve to crack down on offenders.
The warning follows reports of diversion and illegal sale of subsidised fertiliser, a practice the government says threatens farmers’ access to affordable inputs.
Arrests in Nakuru for illegal fertiliser sales
Authorities in Kuresoi South, Nakuru County, recently arrested suspects for diverting and repackaging subsidised fertiliser.
Police officers, working with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Interior Ministry, seized 140 bags at a hardware store in Keringet, including NPK, TSP, urea, and CAN, all bearing NCPB logos.
Deputy County Commissioner Malak Namai said the hardware owner had received 600 bags from the local NCPB depot earlier that week.
Farmers reported being unable to access the inputs, while the fertiliser was sold at Ksh6,000 to Ksh7,000 per bag, nearly triple the official Ksh 2,500 rate. The hardware owner and a lorry driver were arrested, with investigations ongoing to identify accomplices.
Abdillahi Osman from the Ministry of Agriculture condemned the fraudsters, saying, “It has come to our attention that there are some entrepreneurs ambao wanalaghai wakulima [who are cheating farmers]. As a department, we will not leave any stone unturned to expose any individual sabotaging this successful fertilizer subsidy.”
Protecting the programme for farmers
Principal Secretary Paul Kiprono Ronoh emphasised that the fertiliser subsidy is a key government intervention to reduce production costs.
He warned that diversion or illegal resale directly threatens farmers and national food security.
Officials noted that similar cases, including the seizure of 233 bags in Kuresoi North last year, highlight the persistent challenge of cartels exploiting the scheme. They encouraged the public and farmers to report suspicious activity for immediate action.
The government has pledged intensified surveillance and enforcement to ensure subsidised fertiliser reaches genuine beneficiaries during the current planting season.
Authorities stressed that protecting the integrity of the programme is vital, as exploiting it not only robs farmers of affordable inputs but also jeopardises Kenya’s agricultural backbone.