A group of Kenyan citizens has raised concerns regarding the 34,000 tonnes of free fertilizer that the Kenyan government received as a donation from Russia to boost food production.
This issue arose after a video surfaced of President Vladimir Putin listing the beneficiaries of the donated inputs on August 2nd.Critics of the government, along with some opposition figures, have alleged that instead of distributing the fertilizer to farmers for free as required by Russia, the government sold the same fertilizers to farmers at a subsidized rate.President Putin, speaking at the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, mentioned that Kenya and Malawi were the initial recipients of the fertilizer, and other countries might join the list soon.
This has led to questions about the whereabouts of the donated fertilizer.Former Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando posed a question to Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, asking about the donation’s whereabouts. President Putin reiterated that the fertilizer was intended to be provided to farmers free of charge, which raises further doubts about its distribution
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Communications Director Phillip Etale emphasized that Putin’s statement confirmed the donation of over 30,000 metric tons of free fertilizer to Kenya and underscored that it should have been given to farmers without cost.During the Russia-Africa Summit, Putin revealed that his government had exported 10 million tonnes of food and agricultural inputs to economically disadvantaged countries.
He noted that 262,000 tonnes were still held up in European ports due to sanctions imposed by Western countries.
Putin attributed disruptions in the supply chain of goods to Africa to Western interference and accused an Asian country of contributing to a global food crisis.Amid questions about the whereabouts of the Russian-donated fertilizer, the Kenyan government pledged to expand the subsidy program to benefit more farmers.
President William Ruto announced a reduction in fertilizer prices, with a 50kg bag set to decrease from Ksh3,500 to Ksh2,500 in the upcoming season.
Ruto highlighted the importance of fertilizer in enhancing agricultural productivity and encouraged farmers to use it to improve yields.On May 31, 2023, Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi and Russian Ambassador to Kenya Dmitry Maksimychev received the 34,000 tonnes of fertilizer at the Mombasa port.
The fertilizer was set to be reformulated to produce 100,200 tonnes before being transported via the Standard Gauge Railway for distribution to farmers within a few weeks.