Angry maize farmers in the North Rift on Tuesday stormed the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Eldoret, protesting the shortage of subsidised Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) fertiliser, which they say is urgently needed as crops enter a critical growth stage.
The farmers accused the government of failing to supply top-dressing fertiliser, while continuing to import and distribute Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) for planting, a move they said has left thousands of growers exposed to higher production costs and possible yield losses.
Ironically, the NCPB depot was still offloading planting fertiliser several months after most farmers had already completed maize planting, while stocks of top-dressing fertiliser, essential for boosting crop growth and yield, remained unavailable.
Hundreds of farmers gathered at the Eldoret depot on Tuesday, demanding that the government fast-track procurement and distribution of CAN fertiliser before maize crops reach the flowering stage, when nutrient application is most crucial for grain formation.
Maize farmers from Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu counties during a protest at the National Cereals and Produce Board Eldoret depot on June 02, 2026.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya| Nation Media Group
They warned that the shortage could force many small-scale farmers to abandon top-dressing altogether due to the high cost of commercial fertiliser, now retailing at about Sh4,200 for a 50-kilogramme bag compared to the subsidised price of Sh1,950 at NCPB outlets, where stocks are currently unavailable.
“The maize crop requires top dressing and if the fertiliser is not supplied within the next few days, most small-scale farmers will not apply the nutrients, which will lead to poor yields,” said farmer Mary Kwambai, who has camped at the depot for the last two weeks waiting for supplies.
At the depot, farmers expressed frustration that while planting fertiliser had continued to arrive and be offloaded months after the planting season, CAN fertiliser, required at the critical growth stage, remained out of stock.
“We fail to understand why the government makes a last-minute rush to avail low-cost fertiliser, resulting in some farmers not benefiting from the scheme, contributing to low yield,” said Mr Kipkorir Menjo, a director of the Kenya Farmers Association (KFA), during a farmers’ meeting in Eldoret.
The shortage has pushed many farmers to commercial suppliers, where prices have more than doubled, further straining production costs in Kenya’s key grain-producing region.
Maize farmers from Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu counties during a protest at the National Cereals and Produce Board Eldoret depot on June 02, 2026.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya| Nation Media Group
Farmers now fear that unless the supply of CAN fertiliser is urgently restored, Kenya could face a notable drop in maize and wheat harvests this season, deepening concerns over food security.
“Top dressing contributes significantly to grain development. If farmers miss the application window, the crop cannot fully recover, even if fertiliser becomes available later. The result will be lower yields and reduced national grain output,” warned Mr Stephen Korat, a farmer from Elgeyo Marakwet County.
In response, the NCPB urged farmers to remain patient, saying additional consignments of top-dressing fertiliser were being delivered to depots under the government subsidy programme.
“Additional consignments of top-dressing fertiliser are being delivered to our depots under the government subsidy programme,” said NCPB Managing Director Samuel Karogo.
However, the board acknowledged supply delays, attributing the disruption to global price fluctuations and supply chain shocks stemming from ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
According to the government, 4.1 million bags of planting fertiliser and 3.2 million bags of top-dressing fertiliser have been distributed to registered farmers under the subsidy programme so far.
“Since the beginning of the 2026 long rains season, subsidised fertiliser, both planting and top-dressing, has been available and most farmers have collected their fertiliser requirements for the season,” the NCPB said in a statement.
Maize farmers from Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu counties during a protest at the National Cereals and Produce Board Eldoret depot on June 02, 2026.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya| Nation Media Group
Agricultural experts have warned that the shortage could have serious consequences on food production if farmers fail to apply top-dressing fertiliser at the right stage.
Agronomists estimate that delayed or missed application of fertiliser could reduce maize and wheat yields by between 15 and 20 per cent, significantly affecting national food supply.
The North Rift region, which includes Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet and parts of Nakuru counties, accounts for more than 35 per cent of Kenya’s maize output and remains the country’s primary grain basket.
The fertiliser crisis comes amid renewed volatility in the global market, driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that have disrupted shipping routes and increased energy costs.
The Ministry of Agriculture had earlier warned that fertiliser imports could be affected by the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has disrupted maritime trade routes and raised freight costs.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Kiprono Rono said logistical disruptions, including Iran’s alleged blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, had delayed fertiliser imports into the country.
“The conflict has forced shippers to divert to longer safe routes through South Africa, which has delayed the arrival of imported fertiliser,” he said.
Major suppliers include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman, with Kenya importing through the Port of Mombasa. Disruptions to maritime corridors have significantly affected supply stability.
Maize farmers from Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu counties during a protest at the National Cereals and Produce Board Eldoret depot on June 02, 2026.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya| Nation Media Group
In 2024, Kenya imported fertiliser worth US$99.39 million from Saudi Arabia, while in 2021 it imported 792,670 metric tonnes, largely from Middle Eastern, Russian and North African markets.
The global fertiliser market is dominated by major producers such as Russia’s PhosAgro, Saudi Arabia’s Maaden and Morocco’s OCP Africa.
Fertiliser production remains heavily dependent on natural gas, a key input in nitrogen-based fertilisers such as urea and CAN, making prices sensitive to global energy fluctuations.
Rising energy costs and shipping disruptions have pushed up international fertiliser prices, increasing pressure on import-dependent countries like Kenya.
Last year’s subsidy programme saw millions of bags distributed, helping reduce production costs and expand maize acreage.
However, stakeholders warn that current delays in CAN supply could reverse those gains.
