This document shared here and here claims to be from Russian fertilizer maker Uralchem, warning Kenyan farmers from purchasing fertilizers said to be donated to Kenya.
Background
Food shortage is affecting many countries in the global south, including Kenya. The Russia-Ukraine war exacerbated food insecurity since exports from Russia were sanctioned by most countries in efforts to pressure Russia from withdrawing from Ukraine.
According to the Economic Survey 2022 Kenya imported goods worth Sh37 billion from Russia in 2021 alone. In the first quarter of 2021, 253,726.70 tonnes of chemical fertilisers were imported into Kenya, Russia was among the top suppliers.
Verification
The alleged press release was flagged as FAKE by the Russian Embassy in Kenya through their official Twitter page.
Many fakes on Russian fertilizers are circulating in local social media. The Embassy of the Russian Federation hereby requests all users to verify information on 🇷🇺 fertilizers in Kenya on official media resources of the Embassy pic.twitter.com/fSYaIcoxrW
— Russian Embassy in Kenya/Посольство России в Кении (@russembkenya) September 23, 2022
“Many fakes on Russian fertilizers are circulating in local social media. The Embassy of the Russian Federation hereby requests all users to verify information on fertilizers in Kenya on Russia’s official media resources of the embassy,” the post reads.
Verdict
Claims that this press release concerning free fertilizer in Kenya was issued by a Russian fertilizer maker are FALSE.
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