SBL, firm behind substarndard fertilizer, defies calls for compensation » Capital News
NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 9 — The ongoing probe on fake fertilizer distribution in the country has thrown a spanner into the works with the Kenya-based merchant accused of distributing the fertilizer now apportioning the blame to the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
SBL Innovate Manufacturer Limited CEO Josiah Kariuki was hard-pressed to explain how the fertilizer he was certified to distribute through the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) mutated from ‘organic fertilizer’ to ‘diatomite’.
He faced the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Agriculture on Tuesday.
KEBS issued SBL Innovate Manufacturers Limited a standardization mark to sell and distribute organic fertilizer under the brand name SBL-GPC Original on January 28, 2023.
However, surveillance done across the NCPB stores showed SBL Innovate Manufacturers was distributing a soil conditioner largely derived from Silica, an oxide varying from colourless to white.
Kariuki however defended the product by SBL as legitimate.
“KEBS took our samples and gave us results to distribute organic fertilizer. There is nothing I did to get these results,” he stated.
“There was no way I could have been issued with a certificate without them visiting the factory. It is mandatory for them,” Kariuki added.
SBL Innovate Manufacturers CEO insisted the company has not been circulating fake fertilizer saying KEBS wrongly certified the company product as organic fertilizer yet it was a soil amendment.
“We need to ask KEBS because I am not the one who certified the product. We should call them to explain what happened because you are accusing me,” he told lawmakers.
Bribery allegations
The Kenyan-based merchant alleged that while seeking certification on the product, some KEBS officials based in the Eldoret Office had solicited bribes to fast-track the permit which he refused.
“One Flora Kirui asked me for a bribe so that I can hurry up the process to give the permit faster,” he said.
MPs raised concerns over an apparent plot to hoodwink unwary farmers by selling them soil conditioners instead of organic fertilizer.
Lawmakers MPs John Mutunga, Sabina Chege (Nominated), Brighton Yegon (Konoin), David Kiplagat (Soy), and Peter Salasya (Mumias East) pressed Kariuki on why the product mutated despite the certified mark.
“Indeed, you were issued with a certificate to sell organic fertilizer but you were not issued with a certificate to supply Silica or diatomite which is sand and a rock,” Mutunga held.
He added: “The product you sent to KEBS to sample is not the product you have been circulating.”
Kiplagat echoed the observation saying: “The product that you had in 2022 April is the same product that went to KEBS in 2023. But now the same KEBS gave different results and permits in 2023.”
“Did you do anything extra to the product?” he posed.
Chege termed SBL’s move immoral.
“It’s wrong and immoral to take advantage of farmers who don’t understand the scientific background. Who will compensate farmers for the losses,” she said.
“You just can’t be selling pure soil to the farmers. Who will compensate those farmers given that they invested their money?” Salasya posed.
No to compensation
Kariuki poured cold water on the push by MPs for his company to compensate farmers presuming to be a fertilizer.
“The product we are selling is not soil, those people selling that should compensate the farmers. I haven’t been found guilty by anyone, so let’s wait,” he remarked.
His response came hours after Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi called for the prosecution of the owners of SBL Innovate Manufacturers for using the NCBP distribution network to scam farmers.
Linturi told MPs NCPB entered into a contract with SBL Innovate Manufacturers to supply a product he described as ‘soil conditioner’ for commercial interest as the agency doesn’t receive funding from the exchequer.
He said the merchant belongs to jail for hoodwinking KEBS, NCPB as well as taking advantage of farmers.
“Once you are caught pants down you must own up,” he said.
“The manufacturer obtained the relevant certification from KEBS failed to be honest enough to avail the product in the market. This is criminal theft and this person belongs to jail,” Linturi stated.
The CS urged investigative agencies to take up the matter even as it emerged SBL Innovate sold 70,142 bags of the contested fertilizer.
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