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A section of Kenya Kwanza lawmakers have admitted the ‘ground’ is becoming hostile to them over the acute shortage of subsidised fertiliser being experienced in parts of maize growing regions in the country.

Speaking in Uasin Gishu County on Saturday, the MPs who are close allies of President William Ruto shifted the blame to top management of the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) over the fertiliser crisis.

Led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, they vowed to ensure the top management of the board are sent home over their failure to address the situation before the enraged voters kick them out of parliament in the next polls.

“We shall ensure the leadership of NCPB is kicked out first over its failure to address the subsidised fertilizer crisis in the country before the voters turn their wrath on us in the next general election,” said Barasa.

The outspoken MP noted that their employers were getting angry and frustrated over the delay to access the subsidized fertiliser in the wake of planting season as he exonerated the law makers from blame over the crisis.

He made remarks at Chepkigen Primary in Soy constituency where area MP David Kiplagat hosted Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and his Kesses counterpart Julius Rutto during the launch of a Sh55 million bursary.
Rutto took issue with NCPB regional managers in the manner they were handling the farmers’ plight in regards.

“We are not ready to carry the blame on behalf of some disgruntled NCPB regional managers over the mismanagement of subsidized farm input that is being witnessed in some parts of the country,” said Rutto.

Kiplagat has called on the government to move with speed and address the fertilizer problem saying that the majority of cereal farmers have already prepared their land ahead of planting season.

“The long rains are set to start any time from now and yet hundreds of farmers are yet to access the subsidized fertilizer at various NCPB stores spread across the country,” said Kiplagat.

The MP warned that unless the matter is addressed with the seriousness it deserves, the country might be plunged into a food crisis next year.