Police officers drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have recovered stolen fertilizer meant for the government’s subsidized fertilizer program in Narok County.
According to a statement by the DCI on January 4, 253 bags of suspected stolen fertilizer were found stored at the Grace Covenant Church in the Ololunga area, Narok South.
Subsequently, the police arrested Robert Kipng’etich Bett in connection with the case and later arraigned him at the Milimani Law Courts.
“Following the recovery of 252 bags of suspected stolen GoK fertilizer at a Narok Church hall yesterday, a male suspect was today arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts charged with conveying suspected stolen property.
Robert Kipng’etich Bett aka Raphael who alleged to be a farm manager employed by a Kericho-based businessman Joseph Kiplangat Keter was arrested for being the custodian of the fertilizer,” said DCI.
The second suspect is alleged to have bought the fertilizer from a known dealer operating within the North Rift region.
Besides, DCI noted that the dealer has been involved in similar cases in the past.
“As investigations continue, the arraigned suspect was released on a Ksh.500,000 cash bail pending the 1st hearing of the case on Friday, January 5, 2024,” added DCI.
Ruto Warning to Fertilizer Cartels
The recovery of the fertilizer reflects past concerns from some quarters about possible redirection of the fertilizer aimed at benefiting farmers in the country.
Speaking in August 2023, President William Ruto warned officers in the Ministry of Agriculture against taking advantage of the subsidized fertilizer program.
Ruto ordered all security agencies to be on the lookout and arrest any individual found re-packaging the subsidized fertilizer to sell to unsuspecting farmers.
“We have put in place plans to ensure that all farmers get the fertilizer at affordable prices, this will help us lower the cost of living,” said the President.
Also Read: Questions Emerge on Fertilizer Donation Ruto Got from Russia
At the time, there were reports of fraud in the fertilizer distribution process to farmers with allegations of cartels repackaging the commodity and later selling to farmers at markedly higher prices.
Also Read: Ruto Slashes Fertilizer Prices by Ksh.1,000
However, the president promised to be on the lookout.
“We have agreed that the subsidized fertilizers should be distributed in all regions, and we don’t want the brokers or the cartels to be involved. Let the fertilizers get to the farmers,” said Ruto.
The President urged farmers to take advantage of the fertilizers and plant food crops in sufficient quantities.
