Eight held after crowds overrun Maua depot in fertiliser raid

Eight suspects arrested after raid on NCPB in Maua in  Meru.  [File, Standard]

Police have arrested eight suspects and recovered stolen fertiliser after a violent raid on the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Maua, Meru County.

The incident on Wednesday, June 25, saw crowds overwhelm the facility and loot bags of fertiliser, cereals and office equipment. 

Police reported that looters used motorbikes and Probox vehicles to ferry the stolen goods, some of which have been recovered.

District Criminal Investigations Officer (DCIO) Maua Alex Wasike noted that investigations are ongoing, and several vehicles used during the raid have been impounded.

“The looters used motorbikes and Probox cars to transport the fertiliser,” observed Wasike.

Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) Igembe South Eliakim Silgich explained that officers responded quickly but were outnumbered.

“Such atrocious attacks in the future will be met with equal force. There is no room for anarchy,” noted Silgich.

The government has ordered all NCPB depots to install functional CCTV cameras to deter similar incidents, enable documentation and assist police in identifying suspects.

Depot Manager Abednego Sangolo revealed that the damage from the attack was higher than the initial estimate of Sh 29 million, which only accounted for the fertiliser.

“The looters torched the depot’s main office, stole office stationery and cereals, and vandalised the mobile seed dryer,” explained Sangolo.

Local farmers condemned the raid, warning that it would force them to travel to Meru town to access subsidised fertiliser and services.

“This was a big loss for farmers in the area,” observed a resident.

Police indicated that arrests and recovery efforts will continue as they pursue more suspects linked to the looting.