Police Arrest 8 Suspects Who Looted Fertiliser Worth Ksh30 Million

Police on Monday, June 30, arrested eight suspects accused of vandalising and looting the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Maua, Meru County, on Wednesday, June 25, making away with fertiliser worth up to Ksh30 million.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) stated in its report that following an intelligence-led security operation in Luluma Village, Makiri area, and Maua Township, 63 bags of government-supplied fertiliser that were stolen during the June 25, 2025, demonstrations were recovered.

The operation, conducted by law enforcement officers from Igembe South Sub-County, also resulted in the seizure of a silver Toyota Probox and three motorcycles suspected to have been used to ferry the stolen goods. 

"Additionally, eight bags of cement were recovered along with the stolen fertiliser," stated the DCI in part.

This comes after Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe revealed that government warehouses had been vandalised, with the fertiliser valued at Ksh29.5 million stolen. 

He described the incident as a “direct attack on Kenya’s food security,” emphasising that the stolen supplies were intended to help farmers during the crucial planting season currently underway.

"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 stated on Friday, June 27.

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.

In a separate operation in Malindi, Kilifi County, 14 individuals were arrested following a forensic investigation that linked them to acts of property vandalism during the recent protests.

All suspects are currently in custody and undergoing processing ahead of their arraignment. Law enforcement agencies have confirmed that further investigations are underway to track down additional suspects and recover more looted property.

Over the weekend, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) apprehended more than 10 suspects linked to property destruction and chaos during the protests.

However, the arrests have drawn backlash from human rights groups. On Monday, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) issued a statement alleging that three of those arrested faced fabricated charges and therefore should be immediately and unconditionally released.