Remains of looted and vandalised Maua NCPB in Meru County. Over 7,300 bags of fertiliser was stolen. Photo: MOA X.
The Ministry of Agriculture has condemned the looting and vandalism of National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot, in Maua Meru County during Wednesday, June 25 demonstrations.
In a statement released by the Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe, over 7,300 bags of 50kg of fertiliser worth KSh 29.5 million were stolen from the depot. According to him, the theft threatens the food crop and cash crop production by farmers.
“Preliminary assessment shows that over 7,354 bags of fertilizer each weighing 50kg and valued at over KSh 29.5M were looted from the depot. This fertiliser is a vital input for farmers across the region. Its loss threatens to trigger a catastrophic crisis for both food crop and cash crop production,” Kagwe stated.
He further said that the looting and attack poses a great threat to the food security of the country, as well as the economic of the country, as the stolen fertiliser was to sustain farmers through the planting season.
“The attack on NCPB is not just a property crime, it is a direct assault on Kenya’s food security. Fertiliser looted was meant to sustain farmers through the planting season. This reckless act jeopardizes the ability of our farmers to grow food, feed their families and support the economy,” he further stated.
Kagwe called on the National Police Service (NPS), to take the matter with urgency, to ensure that the stolen fertiliser is recovered, as culprits are apprehended and charged in accordance with law.
He said that the looting and vandalism undermined the legitimacy of the peaceful protests, and an abuse of the democratic space. He said that destruction of critical agricultural input is unacceptable.
“Just as brutality and loss of life are unacceptable, so too is the wanton destruction of public property and theft of critical agricultural inputs. We must never confuse anarchy democratic rights with anarchy. Peaceful demonstrations are being infiltrated by criminals,” he stated.
During his address after accessing the destruction of businesses in Nairobi CBD, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen had said property worth billions of shillings was destroyed in the Wednesday protests. He further alleged that goons targeted specific businesses and government offices and institutions.
