A total of five suspects have been arrested as police recovered 4124 bags of adulterated Urea and DAP fertilizer allegedly diverted from government-subsidised supplies in Moiben, Uasin Gishu County.
In a coordinated crackdown against illegal fertiliser trade, detectives from the DCI Headquarters Operations Action Team (OAT) arrested two suspects and recovered 624 bags of suspected counterfeit fertiliser during an operation in Uasin Gishu County.
The operation, conducted in Kapsubere Village, Karuna Hills, Moiben Sub-County, led to the arrest of Joshua Ngetich, the owner of the homestead where the illicit activity was taking place, and Lameck Odhiambo. However, four other suspects fled into a nearby maize plantation and are being pursued.
During the incident, detectives recovered 550 bags of suspected adulterated Urea and DAP fertiliser, believed to have been diverted from government-subsidised supplies.
The operation was later extended to Ziwa Sirikwa, where detectives searched a store belonging to another suspect, Elphas Bett, who remains at large.
The search yielded an additional 64 bags of DAP fertiliser branded “Elgon Kenya” and 10 bags of Mavuno fertiliser, each weighing 50 kilograms.
The recovered fertiliser has been secured as exhibits, while the two suspects are in custody undergoing processing pending arrangement.
“The DCI remains steadfast in dismantling criminal networks involved in the manufacture, adulteration and distribution of counterfeit agricultural inputs, safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods and protecting the country’s food security,” read part of the DCI statement.
In a similar incident, the DCI made further breakthrough in the crackdown on a suspected counterfeit fertiliser network, arresting three more suspects and recovering approximately 3,500 bags of assorted suspected counterfeit fertiliser in Uasin Gishu County.
Acting on intelligence, detectives from the DCI Headquarters Operations Action Team (OAT) proceeded to Kabenes area in Soy Sub-County, where they arrested Rose Chemeli, the owner of the premises, Vincent Kibet, and Elias Kipkoech.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of approximately 3,500 bags of assorted suspected counterfeit fertilizer.
The suspects remain in custody, undergoing processing, pending arraignment, while the recovered fertilizer has been secured as exhibits.
In the meantime, detectives expressed their commitment to continue pursuing other persons of interest linked to the criminal network.
