Fertiliser Worth Ksh30 Million Looted During June 25 Protests

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, led by Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe, has condemned the vandalism and looting of the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Maua, Meru County, on Wednesday, June 25.

The looting occurred during the recent June 25 protests, with Kagwe appealing to Kenyans in a statement on Friday, June 27, never to confuse democratic rights with anarchy. 

"Peaceful demonstrations are being hijacked by criminals. Those who rob, destroy, and loot critical public installations such as the NCPB are not demonstrators; they are criminals and anarchists, and they must be treated as such," he stated in part.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe during a high-level meeting with EU Ambassador, Henriette Geiger on June 18, 2025. /MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

"Fertiliser was looted, fertiliser meant to sustain farmers through this planting season. This reckless act jeopardises the ability of our farmers to grow food, feed their families, and support the national economy," he continued.

Preliminary assessments show that over 7,354 bags of fertiliser, each weighing 50kg and valued at over Ksh29.5 million, were looted from the depot.

Online footage showed people hauling sacks of fertiliser from the depot, apparently exploiting the confusion caused by the protests. Some carried the fertiliser on their backs, while others loaded it onto boda bodas.

Later clips captured part of the depot being set on fire as the situation grew increasingly violent, with no visible presence of authorities in the recorded scenes.

According to the CS, the fertiliser is a vital input for farmers across the region, hence its loss threatens to trigger a catastrophic crisis for both food crop and cash crop production.

The Ministry is therefore urging the National Police Service (NPS) to act with urgency in apprehending those involved in the looting and vandalism, recover the stolen fertiliser and prosecute in accordance with the law.

"Such actions undermine the legitimacy of peaceful protest and are an abuse of the democratic space. Just as brutality and loss of life are unacceptable, so too is the wanton destruction of public property and theft of critical agricultural inputs. Let us protect our democracy by ensuring it never deteriorates to anarchy," the CS concluded.

The aftermath of the looting of fertiliser at the National Cereals Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Maua, Meru, during the June 25 protests. /MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE