Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago at a past function. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago warned agriculture officials against diverting subsidized fertilizers ahead of the planting season.
Speaking to the journalists in Eldoret Town on Saturday, Mandago said that his government will no longer tolerate fertilizer cartels during his second term in office.
He noted that the cartels have made life tougher for farmers who toil in the sun to eke out a living. He also said that those found liable for the offense will not only be arrested but also prosecuted in courts of law.
The county divulged that he has information that there are county workers colluding with traders by registering them as farmers.
He noted that the aim of the cartels is creating an artificial shortage of fertilizer at the National Cereals and Produce Board depot in Eldoret in a bid to increase the demand.
"We are aware of the scheme by people who are out to deny farmers the chance to benefit from the government programme," he said, as quoted by The Star.
The firebrand county boss further said that this time around he will not take cartels lying low. He pledged to work with the national government to finish the cartels before the end of his term in office.