NCPB Chief Joseph Kimote Among Senior Officials Nabbed in Fake Fertilizer Bust
On Tuesday evening, several officials from the National Cereals and Produce Board were taken into custody as part of an ongoing investigation into the distribution of counterfeit fertilizer.
The individuals and a businessman were arrested after the Director of Public Prosecution endorsed the police’s intention to charge them with the scandal.
On Tuesday, detectives were sent to find the individuals to prepare them for court arraignment and prosecution.
The police stated that they would face charges of fraud and criminal conspiracy.
Officials stated that there is still another list with names of individuals to be arrested and charged that is pending at the Director of Public Prosecutions’ office.
The ODPP received the files containing the recommendations last Monday.
Investigators from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters looked into the incident.
Police requested permission from the ODPP to charge the individuals with various offenses such as fraud, abuse of office, and neglecting their duties.
Detectives have questioned several officials from government agencies involved in managing the fake fertilizer.
This group includes representatives from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), and various suppliers.
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The police stated that they had called in and questioned everyone accountable for obtaining and providing the inferior fertilizer.
The Ministry of Agriculture announced that all fertilizers provided through the government’s subsidy program have finished undergoing testing.
Officials stated that tests verified that all fertilizers provided under the subsidy program met the necessary quality standards, except those produced and distributed by a local company that failed to meet all required testing parameters.
In mid-March, the ministry advised farmers who had already bought the batch of fertilizer to stop using it immediately and to go to their nearest NCPB facility for more instructions.
The ministry stated that the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) had taken legal measures against the producer.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Agriculture instructed the NCPB to exchange all the low-quality fertilizers given to farmers as it intensified the investigation into the controversy.
NCPB Chief Joseph Kimote Among Senior Officials Nabbed in Fake Fertilizer Bust
