Senator Protests Unequal Fertilizer Distribution In Mount Kenya

Nyandarua Senator John Methu has raised concerns over the unequal distribution of fertilizer by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), accusing the government of sidelining agricultural counties in the highlands.

Methu’s protest follows reports that Uasin Gishu County received 413,103 bags of fertilizer—about 20.99% of the total allocation—while some counties received significantly fewer bags.

Nakuru County was allocated 204,764 bags (10.4%), whereas Kirinyaga got 32,280, Meru 12,910, Nyeri 8,760, Murang’a 7,650, and Tharaka Nithi only 5,940 bags.

Some agricultural counties, including Marsabit and Samburu, were entirely left out, raising questions about fairness in distribution.

Speaking in the Senate while seeking a statement from the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Methu said highland counties are major food producers and rely heavily on fertilizer to sustain agricultural output.

He questioned why some counties received disproportionately large allocations while others, equally dependent on farming, were given much less.

“The Agriculture Committee must explain the justification for significantly lower allocations to key agricultural counties, despite their critical role in national food production. The Ministry of Agriculture and NCPB should also clarify the criteria used in determining these allocations,” said Methu.

He further asked the Agriculture Committee, chaired by Senator Wafula Wakoli, to disclose whether farmer registration data and actual county-level demand were considered in the allocation process.