Over 564 tonnes of fertiliser donated by Russia to Kenya last year vanished in the deep seas, sparking theft allegations.
Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu reports that only 33,835.9 metric tonnes, out of the 34,400 metric tonnes Moscow had offered, arrived. It left Russia but never arrived in Kenya.
In the midst of escalating tensions between Nairobi and Moscow, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has disclosed a shocking disparity over the following: Russia supplied 564.1 metric tonnes of raw fertiliser to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) in Kenya the previous year, but they did not receive it. The total value of the donation was around Ksh197 million.
This disturbing revelation raises concerns that there may have been theft, and it further exacerbates the diplomatic tension that exists between the two countries.
A bigger supply of raw fertiliser material from Russia, totaling 34,400 metric tonnes, is now in limbo as part of the fertiliser delivery went missing and was sold privately.
In light of the continuing crisis between Russia and Ukraine, this gift was part of Russia’s plan to garner support from African nations.
The purpose of the fertiliser was to increase the amount of agricultural produce that Kenya produces by doubling the amount of ready-to-use fertiliser that is produced and distributed to farmers all throughout the country.
Approximately 15,000 to 30,000 acres of land may have used the fertiliser under consideration.
Additionally, starting this month, the price of cooking oil, soap, margarine, and some cosmetics containing glycerin will increase by double digits.
The increase comes after Kenya imposed a 10 percent import duty on crude palm oil, a key raw material used to produce them.
