National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Managing Director Joseph Kimote was among individuals arrested on Tuesday night in connection with the fake fertilizer scandal that has rocked the country’s agriculture docket.
Kimote was reportedly arrested alongside John Kiplangat Ngetich, the Corporation Secretary at NCPB and John Matiri, the Chairman, Business Committee at NCPB.
The two were part of a closed-door board meeting held from 11am on Tuesday, April 30, which was attended by Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Rono.
Consequently, the Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Igonga recommended charges against individuals and entities found culpable in the fake fertilizer scandal.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 30, the DPP said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) provided a report of its investigations into the scandal that has attracted nationwide interest.
Josiah Kariuki, Director of SBL- Company Implicated in Fertilizer Scandal
Among those listed is Josiah Kariuki Kimani, the Director of SBL Innovate Manufacturers Ltd and Fifty-One Capital (K) Limited.
SBL was one of the companies implicated in the supply of substandard fertilizer to farmers under the guise of government’s subsidized fertilizer.
Despite dispelling the allegations in various forums, Kariuki will face charges including forgery, making a document without authority, uttering false documents and conspiracy to defraud.
In addition, the SBL Director will be charged with applying the standardization mark to the fertilizer that does not comply with Kenya standard.
Joseph Kimote, the Managing Director, National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPВ)
Joseph Kimote, the MD of the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) will also face charges relating to the fake fertilizer.
According to the statement by the DPP, the NCPB boss will be charged with conspiracy to defraud and abuse of office.
John Kiplangat Ngetich, the Corporate Secretary, NCPB
Also lined up to face charges in the case is John Kiplangat Ngetich, the Corporation Secretary, NCPB, who will be charged with Conspiracy to defraud and abuse of office.
On his part, John Mbaya Matiri, the Chairman, Business Committee at NCPB will face charges of conspiracy to defraud and abuse of Office Contrary to Section 46 as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act No. 3 of 2003.
SBL Innovate Manufacturers Ltd
Besides the listed individuals, the DPP has recommended charges against SBL which was the firm accused of manufacturing fake fertilizer.
Also Read: Manager Reveals State House Closed-Door Meeting on Fake Fertilizer
According to DPP Igonga, SBL will be charged with conspiracy to commit an offense of economic crime and applying a standardization mark to a commodity that does not comply with the relevant Kenya Standard.
In addition, the firm linked to Josiah Kariuki will be charged with manufacturing for sale substandard goods and knowingly using labels on bags in connection with the manufacture and sale of organic fertilizer.
Fifty-One Capital (K) Limited
Fifty-One Capital (K) Limited will also face charges including conspiracy to commit an offence of economic crime, applying standardization mark to a commodity that does not comply with relevant Kenya Standard, and manufacturing for sale substandard goods.
The statement by DPP came on the back of a nationwide debate surrounding the discovery of the fake fertilizer scandal that was first exposed in an expose by the Africa Uncensored.
Investigations into fake fertilizer scandal
On Tuesday, April 30, Africa Uncensored CEO John Allan Namu appeared before the Agriculture and Livestock Committee in Parliament where he led members in reviewing the documentary for reference. The Committee on Agriculture has been undertaking its own investigations and has since invited various persons of interest in the scandal.
Also Read: Clean Your Mess-Tanzania Minister Clears Air Over Origin of Fake Fertilizer
Meanwhile in the National Assembly, Speaker Moses Wetangula approved a notice of a motion seeking to impeach Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi.
Consequently, the MPs are set to debate a special motion for the removal of Linturi as the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development during a special sitting to be held on the morning of Thursday May 2, 2024.
In his communication to the House on the notice of Motion, the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Masika Wetang’ula noted that the proposed Motion met the applicable procedural threshold required to impeach a sitting Cabinet Secretary.
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