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Top NCPB officials arrested over fake fertiliser scam

Three senior officials from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) have been arrested over the manufacturing and distribution of fake fertilisers to farmers in the country.

By Hanifa Adan | 01 May 2024

According to the DPP, Kimote, Ngetich and Mbaya will be charged with conspiracy to defraud and abuse of office.

Three senior officials from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) have been arrested over the manufacturing, distribution and sale of fake fertilisers to farmers in the country.

The three include Managing Director John Kimote, Corporation Secretary John Kiplang'at Ngetich and the Business Committee Chairperson John Mbaya.

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The three officials are expected to be arraigned on Thursday, May 2.

The arrests follow the approval by the Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga to have the officials charged with conspiracy to commit an offence of economic crime, conspiracy to defraud and abuse of office.

"Pursuant to the provisions of Article 157(4) of the Constitution, I directed the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to carry comprehensive and thorough investigations regarding the manufacturing, distribution and sale of substandard fertiliser to farmers under the Government of Kenya fertiliser subsidy programme," read the statement.

According to the DPP, Kimote, Ngetich and Mbaya will be charged with conspiracy to defraud and abuse of office.

Forgery charges

Also to be charged is Josiah Kariuki Kimani, the Director of SBL Innovate Manufacturers Ltd and Fifty-One Capital (K) Limited.

He faces charges of forgery, making a document without authority, uttering false documents and conspiracy to defraud.

Kimani will also be charged with applying the standardisation mark to a commodity that does not comply with Kenya standards.

The firms SBL Innovate Manufacturers Limited and Fifth One Capital K Limited will also be charged with conspiracy to commit the offence of economic crimes, applying standardisation mark to a commodity that does not comply with relevant Kenya Standards and knowingly using labels on bags in connection with manufacture and sales of organic fertilisers.