Tanzania’s Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe and Kenyan lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi
Image: STAR/By Martin Oduor, K24 Digital

The fake fertilizer scandal in Kenya has taken a different turn after Tanzania’s Minister of Agriculture Hussein Mohamed Bashe got roped in.

The whole drama started on Thursday, April 25, 2024, after Kenyan lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi claimed he had actionable intelligence that the fake fertilizer in the country was manufactured and or procured from Tanzania.

Abdullahi further challenged Kenya’s Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mithika Linturi to tell the nation where exactly in Tanzania the fake fertilizer came from.

“I now have ACTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE that the fake fertiliser was manufactured/procured from TANZANIA. I challenge Waziri Linturi, National Cereals and Produce Board and MEMS to tell Kenyans the quarry in TANZANIA where the goat manure, sand and stones were mixed and in what proportions? Did KRA receive taxes from MEMS or did the fake manure pass through PANYA routes?” Abdullahi wrote on X.

In a quick rejoinder, Tanzania’s Agriculture Minister Hussein Bashe asked Abdullahi if his claim was serious or if it was just the usual banter between Kenya and its neighbour.

“Brother, Is this comment intended as part of the usual banter between Tanzania and Kenya, or are you serious?” Bashe posted.

The Minister went on to slam the Kenyan lawyer, warning him not to associate Tanzania with the infamous hustler culture in Kenya.

Bashe, additionally, clarified that Tanzania does not export counterfeit commodities, including fertilizer, to Kenya.

“Tanzania is not connected to any fake fertilizer scandal, so please do not associate us with the popular hustler culture.

“Tanzania does not export counterfeit commodities, including fertilizer, to Kenya. We are well aware of the exact nature of the goods our two companies have exported through official channels. Please address your own issues with shortcuts and questionable practices, as our trade policies are governed by principles rooted in integrity.

“If there is a mess, I recommend you clean it up, do not implicate Tanzania. It is not our way,” Tanzania’s Agriculture Minister wrote on X.

Ruto in Tanzania

The online exchange between Tanzania’s Agriculture Minister and Kenyan lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi happened while Ruto was in Tanzania attending the country’s national celebration.

Ruto jetted off to Tanzania to attend the 60th-anniversary celebration of the union of mainland Tanzania and the island of Zanzibar.

The Kenyan President arrived in Dar es Salam on Thursday evening and was received by Tanzania’s Minister for Minerals, Anthony Mavunde.

Tanzanians are celebrating Union Day today April 26, 2024, a day in which the East African country marks the creation of the Republic of Tanzania through the union of two formerly sovereign states – the Republic of Tanganyika and the People’s Republic of Zanzibar.

The first celebrations were held on April 26, 1964.