Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has sounded the alarm over a major loss following the violent June 25 protests, revealing that fertiliser worth over Ksh29.5 million was looted from a government depot in Meru County.
In a strong statement released on Friday, June 27, Kagwe condemned the attack on the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Maua, calling it not just theft, but a direct blow to Kenya’s food security.
“This was no ordinary act of vandalism. Peaceful protests are being hijacked by criminals whose actions could have devastating effects on farmers and the economy,” said Kagwe.
According to the CS, over 7,300 bags of fertiliser—each 50kg—were stolen during the chaos. These supplies were meant to support farmers during the ongoing planting season, especially in a region heavily reliant on agriculture.
“The loss could trigger a serious crisis in food and cash crop production, affecting thousands of households and weakening our national economy,” he warned.
Kagwe urged the police to waste no time in arresting the culprits, recovering the stolen fertiliser, and ensuring justice is served. He emphasized that acts of looting and destruction, regardless of political frustration, should not be tolerated.
“Just like police brutality is wrong, so is destroying national property. Let us not confuse the right to protest with lawlessness,” he added.
The CS closed his statement by urging Kenyans to protect democratic spaces without resorting to chaos, reminding the public that safeguarding agriculture during political unrest is key to ensuring stability in both food production and the broader economy.
Tags
Agriculture