KSC Suspends Four Over Sh30 Million

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Mathews Ndanyi

28 June 2011

The Kenya Seed Company has suspended four of its top officials following alleged loss of more than Sh30 million in the past year. The four include the marketing manager and three staff from the accounts department. Managing director of KSC Willy Bett confirmed the suspensions but declined to give details over the issue. “I am in a board meeting and will communicate with your over the issue later”, said Bett.

Francis Mwaura, who was the marketing manager confirmed that he had received the suspension letter from but he declined to give further details.

Sources said those suspended could not account for the lost money adding that several other offices were being investigated and may also be suspended to facilitate a proper audit.

Sources within the company said investigations were also going on over the shortage of seeds at the firm during the planting season early this year. For the first time, the company was unable to supply to farmers more than 8 per cent of the seed it supplies to annually.

It’s suspected that some officials at the company may have sold off the maize outside the country. Other sources also indicate that the KACC has received complaints over mismanagement at the firm.

KSC has however taken measures to avert similar shortages in the future by increasing acreage for growing seed. The firm has expanded its seed farms in Wei Wei in West Pokot where the Italian government has given a grant of Sh1.2 billion to improve seed production.

Yesterday, tension was evident among workers at the firm after they learnt of the suspension of their colleagues amid fears that the axe would fall on others in the marketing and accounts departments.

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