KEBS Recalls Fertilisers Under Ruto's Programme After Media Expose

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has recalled all fertiliser brands distributed by one company and revoked the standardisation marks in response to an investigative media expose that uncovered a series of unethical practices by the manufacturer in question.

In a statement on Monday, March 11, KEBS through its Managing Director, Esther Ngari revealed that the action was prompted by Africa Uncensored's exposé on the company which revealed that it fooled Kenyans by packaging sand and selling it as legitimate fertiliser.

Ngari explained that KEBS conducted a thorough investigation and collected 59 samples, which showed that the product failed to meet the regulator's standards.

"As per our mandate, we have communicated this to the manufacturer and have given them strict conditions to maintain the same high-quality standards we expect," stated Ngari in part.

The KEBS MD further assured that the regulator intends to take legal action against the company to ensure accountability.

"Therefore, we have withdrawn the standardisation mark from SBL Innovate and have asked them to recall all their products in the market. We remain committed to ensuring our standards are met to protect the health and well-being of all Kenyans," added the statement.

KEBS further extended its gratitude to Africa Uncensored for the investigative piece which provided the standardization company with information that helped reveal the little-known plight of farmers.

"I also want to thank Africa Uncensored for the investigation. The intelligence you gave us is very helpful and even in future we would want to receive any kind of intelligence because we depend on stakeholders to protect the consumers," added the statement.

The documentary which aired on Sunday evening through its YouTube channel claimed that the company took sand from a mining site in Kariandusi and masqueraded it to be organic fertiliser.

Further, the documentary narrated that the packed soil was later packaged, sealed and ferried to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) where it was sold as subsidised fertiliser.

It was further stated that the fertiliser was distributed through the NCPB under the National Fertiliser Subsidy Programme, instituted by President William Ruto in 2022 and was supposed to be sold at half of the prevailing market rate.

Reportedly, the farmers who used the company's products frequently complained about their crops failing to thrive despite spending a lot of money to acquire the input.

It is worth noting that a businessman under the company in question obtained a court order stopping the eventual publication of the expose on alleged graft and deception in the distribution of fertilizer by the government.

“That pending the hearing and determination of this application an order issued restraining the defendant by themselves, their servants or agents or otherwise from publishing or causing to be published the alleged document about the plaintiff’s business on the internet, any print media, Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter or any other social media platforms,” read the order in part.