Fertiliser saga: 3 NCPB officials charged with conspiracy to defraud farmers

NCPB Managing Director Joseph Muna Kimote, John Kiplangat Ngetich (Corporate Secretary), and John Mbaya Matiri (General Marketing Manager) have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to defraud farmers by selling 139,688 bags of 25 Kgs fertiliser valued at over Ksh.209 million purporting to be genuine fertiliser, a fact the prosecution claims the accused knew to be false.

The three also face a common charge of abuse of office.

The prosecution is opposing their release on bail saying that investigations are still ongoing adding that the accused persons are adversely mentioned.

"There's a likelihood of interference with the witnesses, suppressing of evidence or tampering of evidence, particularly 2,3 and 4 persons who are their subordinates in the office," reads the affidavit.

The court has been told that Joseph Kariuki Kimani, the first accused in the charge sheet has evaded arrest adding that he has switched off his phones. 

"This creates an incentive for the accused person to abscond court," court told

Katwa Kigen, Danstan Omari, Sam Nyaberi, Shadrack Wamboi are among the lawyers representing the three accused persons and say they will object to the application by the prosecution.

The defence lawyers say that investigations are complete based on the press release by the ODPP adding that the investigations have been ongoing for at least three months.

 "Material evidence of them to abscond court must be shown by either them booking air tickets ...non has been shown," lawyer Omari submitted.

The defence further said that the three are public officers and have serious homes and corporate roles.