Police have arrested 22 suspects and recovered stolen government fertiliser following a series of operations in Meru County. The fertiliser, worth millions, was looted during the nationwide protests held on June 25, 2025.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), eight suspects were arrested in an intelligence-led operation in Luluma Village, Makiri area, and Maua Township in Igembe South, Meru County. Officers recovered 63 bags of stolen fertiliser and eight bags of cement believed to have been looted during the violent protest.
Also recovered were a silver Probox car, registration number KCW 822T, and three motorcycles (KMFS 106Q, KMFY 687H, and KMFM 529E), which are suspected to have been used to transport the stolen items.
“Law enforcement officers are following more leads to apprehend additional suspects and recover looted items,” the DCI stated on Monday, June 30, 2025.
Fertiliser theft threatens foodsecurity
These arrests follow concerns raised by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, who revealed that over 7,354 bags of fertiliser, each weighing 50kg and valued at Ksh29.5 million, were looted from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Maua during the protests.
In a statement on Friday, 27th June, CS Kagwe condemned the destruction.
“We must never confuse democratic rights with anarchy.”
He emphasised that the stolen fertiliser was meant for farmers during the current planting season, and losing it could lead to a serious food crisis.
“The attack on the NCPB depot is not just a property crime, it is a direct assault on Kenya’s food security,” Kagwe said.
He urged the police to act swiftly and ensure those responsible face the full force of the law.
Kagwe also called on Kenyans to protect public property during protests and avoid actions that can damage the economy or threaten national food supplies.
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a digital writer with over five years of experience. He graduated in February 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from The Co-operative University of Kenya. He has written news and feature stories for platforms such as Construction Review Online, Sports Brief, Briefly News, and Criptonizando. In 2023, he completed a course in Digital Investigation Techniques with AFP. He joined K24 Digital in May 2025. For inquiries, he can be reached at [email protected].
