Eight suspects arraigned over disappearance of 4,520 bags of subsidized gov't fertilizer

Eight suspects arraigned over disappearance of 4,520 bags of subsidized gov't fertilizer

Eight suspects were arraigned on Wednesday in connection with the disappearance of 4,520 bags of subsidized government fertilizer that was being dispatched to various regions last month.

The eight; Joseph Muthama, Stanely Muthama, Martin Munyao, Joseph Muthama, Eric Ng’ang’a, Fredrick Gateri, Anthony Ngei and Beatrice Mwikali, appeared before Milimani Law courts.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the suspects were charged with Conspiracy to Commit a Felony Contrary to Section 393 of the Penal Code and stealing goods in transit contrary to Section 297(c) of the Penal Code.

They pleaded not guilty to charges leveled against them.

According to the DCI, the eight allegedly intercepted 10 trucks contracted by the Kenya National Trading Company (KNTC) logistics in Mombasa to transport 281 tonnes of fertilizer to various regions in the country between April 18 and 27 this year.

“The disappearance of the fertilizer was first reported at Mikindani Police Station vide OB No. 31/4/5/2023 by the Kenya National Trading Company logistics officer Moses Kata, who is based in Mombasa,” the DCI explained.

“The company had contracted Yellow Arrow Express Limited to deliver 281 tonnes, equivalent to 5,620 bags each weighing 50kgs of the subsidized fertilizer, from warehouses in Mombasa to various destinations in the country.”

KNTC’s logistics manager reported the incident after a complaint was filed in Nandi County indicating that 560 bags, which had been dispatched on April 27, destined for the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) in Lessos, Nandi County, had not been delivered days later.

“But according to the driver of the truck ferrying the 560 bags of CAN fertilizer, he received a call from an unidentified caller posing as an agent of KNTC, who instructed him to stop at a shopping centre 25 kilometres away from Lessos,” read the statement.

"The consignment was offloaded and loaded into two waiting trucks after stamping the delivery instruction with a KNTC Eldoret receiver stamp before the lorries drove off to an unknown destination."

A probe by detectives would later unearth that out of the 10 trucks delivering the fertiliser, only two managed to reach their destinations. The eight others carrying about 4,529 bags mysteriously disappeared and have not been found.

A swift operation led to the apprehension of eight suspects as sleuths continue to pursue their accomplices who they believe are still hiding.


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