https://www.businessdail...illion-kcb-loan-3710922
The Treasury has been asked to release funds for settling a Sh6.7 billion KCB loan which was used to purchase subsidised fertiliser.
The State Department for Crop Development and Agricultural Research told Parliament last week that the interest on the loan continues to accrue at a penalty rate of 22.5 percent.
This translates to a penalty of Sh3 million daily and Sh90 million monthly, highlighting the financial burden of defaulting on the credit facility.
NCPB borrowed Sh4 billion from KCB in the 2016/2017 financial year for the subsidised fertiliser imports but has failed to repay, with the loan growing due to unpaid interest and penalties.
If the default continues, the government could end up paying more in interest and penalties than the amount borrowed from the country’s second-largest bank.
NCPB bought a bag of fertiliser at Sh3,400 and sold the same at between Sh1,500 and Sh1,800, with the government supposed to cater for the difference.
However, the government failed to pay the subsidy difference leaving the debt to accumulate. The loan is among several major credit facilities taken from banks by various government agencies and which remain unpaid for years.
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