2 gov't officers found culpable in over Ksh.49M subsidised fertiliser theft case

According to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday, a probe conducted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) found Kipkorir Ronald Tanui and Edwin Ombui Oseko culpable of defrauding the government while impersonating farmers.

Tanui, the Assistant Director of Information Communication Technology (ICT), and Oseko the Principal Agriculture Officer are accused of defrauding the government 19,913 bags each containing 50kg subsidy fertilizer valued at Ksh.49,789,500.

While appearing before the Milimani Law Court on Monday, the duo took plea and was asked to pay cash bail of Kshs.4 million each, 2 contact persons and a surety of Kshs.8 million each. 

A third accused party Peter Githuku, the former ICT director, was found innocent as no evidence was found to charge him.

DCI officers are said to have commenced the probe during the first registration phase of the farmers where some farmers had complained about not receiving the subsidised fertilizer. 

The DCI team visited Kilimo Headquarters on November 6 seeking to access information from the Kenya Management Information System (KIAMIS) platform. 

A number of staff members in the ICT division including 5 interns will be interviewed.