Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago has raised an alarm over the illegal sale of subsidized fertilizer in the region.
Mandago has now called on the government to investigate irregular buying of subsidized fertilize from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
“It is worrying because middlemen are buying fertilizer from National Cereals and Produce Board to sell it to farmers at hiked prices. It is time the government to intervene and arrest the criminals who are out to exploit farmers during this time the growers are preparing lands for planting,” he said.
Mandago urged farmers to be vigilant not to be conned their money by brokers who are only interested to fill their stomachs.
According to farmers, the middlemen are selling subsidized at higher prices than the recommended prices.
"Traders who have turned to be brokers buy subsidized fertilizers at Sh1,800 from National Cereals and Produce Board and resell it for Sh2,000 – Sh2,500,” said Wilson Rotich one of the farmers.
John Mutai, also a farmer urged the government not to allow brokers to steal from them.
“The government should not leave the brokers to continue with exploiting the prices. Urgent measures should be taken to ensure no broker is allowed to sell fertilizers to farmers especially during this planting season,” said Mutai.
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