President William Ruto accused former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi today of aligning with fertiliser cartels, rather than farmers, in a scandal that has shaken Kenya’s agricultural sector.
Speaking at an Inside Politics forum, Ruto condemned the emergence of “illegal fertiliser cartels” that have hijacked the subsidy scheme meant to cushion farmers. According to the President, instead of distributing quality fertiliser, Linturi allegedly worked with unscrupulous dealers, fuelling an illicit market that has inflicted serious financial harm on the agricultural community.
“This isn’t just mismanagement — it is a betrayal,” President Ruto said. “We have evidence that CS Linturi facilitated cartel activities rather than protecting our farmers.”
How Farmers Fell Into the Trap
The controversy traces back to when the government imported fertiliser meant for subsidised distribution. Instead, packets ended up in private hands—far from the cooperative societies, heading into opaque resale networks with inflated prices and poor quality. Ruto warned such channels have “sabotaged the food security agenda” by diverting meant-for-farmers volumes into cartel pockets.
Linturi has faced increasing scrutiny for the scandal, maintaining his innocence but failing to effectively explain why large volumes evaded the official distribution chain. His dismissal of allegations hasn’t stopped investigations, which have now intensified following the President’s remarks.
Stakes Escalate: Political and Legal Fallout
- National Strike Risk: Farmers across Rift Valley and western Kenya are planning demonstrations, demanding reinstatement of accountability and a review of the entire subsidy process.
- Potential Impeachment Threat: Parliamentarians are renewing calls for Linturi’s impeachment, citing “gross misconduct” and undermining of national food security objectives.
- Probes Intensify: The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and ethics watchdog EACC are said to be gathering documents and tracing fertilizer flows to identify culprits and hold them to account.
Why This Is a Game-Changer
- Food Security Jeopardized: With millions of smallholder farmers dependent on subsidised inputs, any cartel interference translates into reduced crop yields and economic distress.
- Trust in Government at Risk: The scandal threatens public confidence in the administration’s capacity to deliver on key promises under Vision 2030’s agricultural pillar.
- Sharp Political Crossfire: Ruto’s targeting of Linturi, a close ally, signals deep fractures within the administration and may embolden opposition narratives.
What’s Next?
Ahead of the August Parliamentary sitting, both the President’s office and Parliament are expected to unveil hard-hitting reports. Farmers and civil society groups proactively demand a full audit of the fertiliser supply chain. Meanwhile, legal analysts predict possible court actions and recovery of diverted funds.
Bottom Line
President Ruto’s grave accusation that Linturi collaborated with fertiliser cartels represents a seismic shift in the scandal — from bureaucratic mismanagement to political betrayal. As investigations deepen and farmers prepare to voice their demands, Kenya’s agricultural and political landscapes hang in the balance.
