The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) wants the Auditor General to audit the Sh15 billion allocated to the Agriculture Ministry for the fertilizer subsidy programme.

Addressing the press at the Parliament Building Chairperson Hon John Mbadi asked the Auditor General Ms. Nancy Gathungu to conduct a forensic audit of the funds following claims of misappropriation of the money.

"The Committee has directed the AG's office to conduct an audit on the supplementary budget of Sh15 billion that Parliament appropriated to the Agriculture Ministry for the purchase of subsidized fertilizer for farmers in the country," said Hon. Mbadi.

He added, "In the audit, the Auditor General should start with the Ministry of Agriculture and deliver a report of her findings to the Committee within 30 days.".

He pointed out that the probe should be done through public hearings before the matter was before the public.

The Committee wants the AG to probe the procurement process and price comparison with manufacturers and quality analysis to confirm the fertilizer meets set standards for various soil types in Kenya.

They asked the AG to also investigate whether the quantities were delivered and whether there are leakages and diversions in the distribution systems.

"We have allegations of payout of kickbacks to third parties which should be probed and determine whether the country got value for money in the purchase price," said Hon Mbadi.

The Chairperson noted that the reason for the special audit was to clear the air on corruption allegations that marred the fertilizer subsidy programme.

"We want to reach the root cause of this matter and ensure accountability in the expenditure of taxpayers' money," said Hon. Mbadi. 

He added that the fertilizer subsidy programme was meant to help farmers and improve food production and the Committee wants to see funds spent accounted for adequately.