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Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe has directed the destruction of 27,518 bags of expired fertiliser held in National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) stores nationwide.
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) will oversee the safe disposal of the expired Sulphate of Ammonia (21%) fertiliser, which was supplied by Fine Tech Edge Ltd between December 27, 2024, and January 6, 2025.
Initial Compliance & Discovery of Short Shelf Life
Before contract execution, KEBS tested fertiliser samples, confirming that the product met Kenyan standards for Sulphate of Ammonia (21% N) and NPK fertilisers. Based on this approval, the supplier delivered 34,100 bags (each weighing 50 kg) to NCPB.
However, NCPB later discovered the fertiliser had a short shelf life, set to expire on February 28, 2025. Given the limited timeframe, NCPB requested the supplier to provide a longer-lasting alternative, as selling the entire batch before expiry was deemed unlikely.
Sale Stoppage and Destruction Order
On February 27, 2025, NCPB issued a sale stoppage order, while KEBS seized the fertiliser on March 4, 2025, preventing further movement or sale.
“The unsold fertiliser will not be released to the market and will be safely destroyed as per standard operating procedures,” Kagwe affirmed.
Since the fertiliser was supplied on a consignment basis, Fine Tech Edge Ltd retains ownership until the products are sold. As a result, the company will bear all financial losses and destruction costs.
Government Commitment to Quality Inputs
CS Kagwe reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring Kenyan farmers receive high-quality farm inputs, while safeguarding public health and environmental standards.
“The government and Kenyan public will not incur any loss or costs,” he stated, urging agricultural suppliers to consider insurance coverage to mitigate such risks.
Conclusion
The destruction of expired fertiliser underscores the government’s vigilance in regulating farm inputs and ensuring that substandard or expired products do not reach Kenyan farmers. KEBS will continue to monitor fertiliser quality, while NCPB remains committed to protecting farmers from ineffective or harmful inputs.
