Eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the looting of the
National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Maua, Meru County, where
over 7,354 bags of fertiliser were stolen last week.
Police say part of the stolen fertiliser has
been recovered, and several vehicles believed to have been used in ferrying the
loot, including motorbikes and Probox cars, have been impounded.
The incident occurred on June 25, 2025, when
large crowds stormed the depot, looting fertiliser, cereals, office supplies,
and vandalising property.
The facility’s main office was torched, and its mobile seed dryer was
destroyed.
Depot Manager Abednego Sangolo said the actual
damage could be much higher than the estimated Sh29 million, which only covered
the fertilizer loss.
Following the attack, the government has
ordered all NCPB depots across the country to install working CCTV systems to
enhance security, aid investigations, and deter similar incidents in future.
DCIO Maua, Alex Wasike, confirmed that
investigations are ongoing and more arrests are expected.
Igembe South OCPD Eliakim Silgich said police
were quickly dispatched to the scene but were outnumbered by the crowd.
“Such atrocious attacks in the future
will be met with equal force. There is no room for anarchy,” he said.
Local residents and farmers have condemned the
raid, saying it disrupted access to subsidised farm inputs.
“Many farmers will now be forced to travel far to get fertiliser. It’s a big
loss to us,” said one resident.
Authorities
have linked the attack to possible political incitement and are pursuing leads
to establish those behind the unrest.
Recovery efforts and investigations are still underway
