The fake fertiliser scandal that has rocked the Ministry of Agriculture took a fresh twist on Tuesday, April 30 after the DPP approved the arrest and prosecution of persons and entities suspected to have orchestrated the vice.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended charges against Josiah Kariuki Kimani, the Director of SBL Innovate Manufacturers Ltd and Fifty-One Capital (K) Limited.
In a statement seen by TV47 Digital, DPP Renson Ingonga directed that Kimani faces five charges among them forgery, making a document without authority, uttering false documents, and conspiracy to defraud.
Kimani will also be charged with applying standardization mark to a commodity that does not comply with Kenya standard, contrary to Section 10(6) and 10(8) of the Standards Act Cap 496 laws of Kenya.
NCPB officials in trouble
The DPP also recommended charges against three National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) over the saga.
The three — who have since been arrested and taken to Muthaiga Police Station — are; Joseph Kimote, the Managing Director, NCPB, John Kiplangat Lagat, the Cooperate Secretary, NCPB, and John Mbaya Matiri, the Chairman, Business Committee, NCPB.
The four officials of NCPB will be charged with conspiracy to defraud, and abuse of office contrary to Section 46 as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
They will be arraigned on Thursday, May 2.
Further, SBL Innovate Manufacturers Ltd and Fifty-One Capital (K) Limited, as independent entities, will face four charges as well.
The charges include; conspiracy to commit an offence of economic crime, applying standardization mark to a commodity that does not comply with Kenya Standard, manufacturing for sale substandard goods, and knowingly using labels on bags in connection with the manufacture and sale of organic fertilizer Contrary to Section 13 (b) of the Fertilizer and Animal Food Stuffs Act, Cap 345 laws of Kenya.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) remains committed to discharging its Constitutional Mandate, upholding and protecting the Public Interest,” the DPP says.
Motion to impeach Linturi
The fake fertiliser scandal has put Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi in trouble.
On the same day, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula approved a motion seeking to impeach him on grounds of gross misconduct, gross violation of the Constitution and committing a crime under national law.
Speaker Wetangula said the motion sponsored by Bumula MP Jack Wanami meets the threshold for admission to the house.
“Consequently the grounds for dismissal of the Agriculture CS as contained in the proposed motion comply with the requirements of standing order 641a and 66. The motion meets the appropriate requirements for it to be admitted to the next step,” Wetangula ruled.
