KEBS MD Charles Ongwae has been charged with attempted murder and abuse of office.
Ongwae was charged alongside six others for allegedly allowing substandard fertilizer into the country.
Among those charged include Director of Quality Assurance Eric Cheshire Kiprono, Inspection Manager Peter Kinyanjui and Coast Regional Director Martin Nyakiamo.
They were also charged with conspiracy to defraud, aiding the commission of a felony and breach of trust.
It's is alleged that on diverse dates between November 13, 2017, and June 7 this year, being KEBS officials they jointly with intent to unlawfully cause the death of people residing in Narok and Eldoret by releasing to OCP(K) 5.8 Million KG of substandard compound fertilizer which contained mercury that endangers human life.
Read:
The defence asked the court to release the accused persons on bail saying that their clients will abide by court conditions issued to them if released on bail.
Their lawyer Cliff Ombeta submitted before trial magistrate Kennedy Cheruyiot that the prosecution had not given any compelling reasons to have the accused persons remain in custody.
The prosecution in its submissions argued that the offences that the accused persons are facing are serious adding that the substance that was allegedly found in the fertilizer-Mercury is dangerous to the environment
"The justice of this matter will be prejudiced if the accused are granted bail, "argued the state
The prosecution also asked the court to issue a warrant of arrests against OCP Kenya directors saying that there are still looking for local contacts of the company who are in the country.
Also read: