MPs probe unpaid Ksh5.2B agriculture subsidy bills flagged by Auditor-General
By Faith Lagat, May 14, 2026Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has initiated a probe into Ksh5.252 billion in pending bills linked to maize and fertiliser subsidy programmes, following concerns raised in the Auditor-General’s report on the State Department for Agriculture for the 2023/2024 financial year.
The matter was discussed during a PAC session at Bung’e Towers on Thursday, 14, 2026, where lawmakers reviewed the Auditor-General’s findings on the Agriculture State Department.
Committee Chairperson Tindi Mwale, Member of Parliament (MP)Butere, directed Agriculture Principal Secretary Kipronoh Ronoh and senior officials to submit all relevant documentation relating to the subsidy programmes.
The Committee also requested framework contracts between the Ministry and private suppliers involved in maize and fertiliser distribution.
Mwale stated: “The framework contracts will guide the Committee in determining the next course of action, including whether the involved entities will be summoned to appear before us.”
Pending bills dating back to 2017/2018
According to the Auditor-General’s report, the Ksh 5.252 billion pending bills, including accrued interest, have remained unpaid since the 2017/2018 financial year. The Committee noted that the long-standing obligations relate to maize and fertiliser subsidy programmes implemented to support farmers across the country.
Lawmakers indicated that the documentation will be used to establish the contractual arrangements and determine compliance with public finance regulations. The Principal Secretary and senior ministry officials appeared before the Committee to respond to the audit queries.
Agriculture subsidy
The scrutiny comes as the government continues to implement subsidy programmes aimed at supporting agricultural production. In March 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture launched a Ksh2 billion maize seed subsidy programme targeting farmers affected by rising input costs and climate variability.
The programme, implemented through the Kenya Seed Company, introduced reduced prices for certified maize seeds, with a 1kg packet retailing at Sh260, a 2kg pack at Ksh525, a 10kg pack at Ksh2,625, and a 25kg pack at Ksh6,560. The initiative was intended to support planting activities and stabilise maize production.
The PAC inquiry is expected to continue as Parliament seeks further clarification on the pending bills and contractual obligations within the subsidy framework.
The Committee will determine next steps after reviewing all submitted documents from the Ministry of Agriculture.