- Over 27,000 bags of expired fertilizer set for destruction under KEBS supervision.
- Fertilizer supplied by Fine Tech Edge Ltd between December 2024 and January 2025.
- KEBS initially approved the batch before it was delivered to NCPB.
- Short shelf-life issue raised, leading to a halt in sales and planned destruction.
- Government to incur no losses as fertilizer supply was on a consignment basis.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has directed the destruction of 27,518 expired fertilizer bags stored in National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots across the country.
In a statement on Thursday, March 13, Kagwe stated that the exercise would be overseen by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to ensure proper disposal.
“KEBS will supervise the safe destruction of this consignment of Sulphate of Ammonia (21%) fertilizer, which was supplied by Fine Tech Edge Ltd between December 27, 2024, and January 6, 2025.”
Fertilizer Initially Approved by KEBS
Before the consignment was cleared for delivery, KEBS conducted tests on the samples and confirmed that the fertilizer met the required Kenyan standards for Sulphate of Ammonia (21%N) and NPK fertilizers.
Following KEBS’ approval, a total of 34,100 bags were delivered to NCPB stores nationwide.
Short Shelf-Life Issue Leads to Halted Sales
However, after receiving the supply, NCPB flagged a concern regarding its short shelf life, which was set to expire on February 28, 2025, as indicated on the packaging.
“The supplier was informed of the issue and asked to provide fertilizer with a longer shelf life, as the consignment was unlikely to be sold before February ended. As per standard procedure, any unsold fertilizer cannot be released to the market and must be safely disposed of.”
On February 27, 2025, NCPB issued a sale stoppage order, and a week later, on March 4, 2025, KEBS seized the stock and halted its movement pending destruction.
No Financial Loss to Government
CS Kagwe clarified that the government will not suffer financial losses, as the fertilizer was supplied on a consignment basis, meaning ownership remains with the supplier until it is sold.
