Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has clarified that the fertiliser donation Kenya received from Russia consisted of raw materials, not finished fertiliser, dismissing what he described as misleading claims from political critics.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Saturday, April 19, 2025, Mwaura explained that the 33,385 metric tonnes donated by Russia were fertiliser components, which were then blended locally to produce more than two million 50kg bags of subsidised fertiliser for key crops such as maize, tea, and coffee.
“Contrary to what political detractors have said, yes, we received 33,385 metric tonnes from Russia, but these were raw materials. They were components that were actually used to make 2 million bags of 50kg fertiliser for tea, coffee, maize, and other plants,” he stated.
According to Mwaura, the local blending of the fertiliser not only improved access for farmers but also resulted in significant cost savings.
“As a result, we have been able to save the country Ksh2 billion. This has since been subsidised, and that’s why it’s being sold at Ksh2,500 to farmers — otherwise it would have cost about Ksh7,000,” he added.
Mwaura explained that one brand of the fertiliser was initially priced at Ksh2,530, but the government deducted Ksh30 to ensure uniformity in cost for farmers.
Another variant initially cost Ksh4,200 before being subsidised.
The distribution process, according to the spokesperson, is being managed through an electronic voucher system linked to a database of six million farmers to ensure proper allocation.
“It is being distributed through a very serious system of six million farmer databases where they are going to do an e-voucher system, and they are able to get the fertiliser,” he added.
In addition to the Russian donation, Mwaura revealed that Kenya also received 16,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser from Algeria, which was used to blend 561,000 bags of top-dressing fertiliser.
“This partnership with Algeria has also enabled us to save farmers Ksh729 million,” he stated.
Previous fertiliser donation
Russia’s fertiliser donation dates back to May 2023, when Kenya received a consignment of at least 34,000 tonnes from the Uralchem-Uralkali Group.
In an August 2023 statement, the Russian Embassy in Nairobi confirmed that the donated raw materials were being reformulated locally to produce up to 100,200 tonnes of finished fertiliser.
“More than 34,000 tonnes of fertiliser donated to Kenya by the Russian Uralchem-Uralkali Group are now being reformulated to produce 100,200 tonnes of fertiliser,” the embassy stated on their X account.
At the time, former Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi received the shipment at the port of Mombasa.