Police in Embu are holding a senior manager from Embu coffee mills- Kavutiri after he was allegedly intercepted carrying 11 bags of coffee from the mill.
Embu North Sub County Police Commander Abdulahi Alio stated that the suspect is helping police with information that will lead to apprehension of other accomplices.
The police commander noted that arresting the factory manager was a breakthrough in dismantling the cartels exploiting farmers.
He added that it is so unfortunate that police officers provide security to coffee factories at night and track lorries only to realise that factory managers steal the coffee in broad daylight.
Alio further said it was through information from farmers that they managed to intercept the consignment worth millions of shillings.
READ ALSO: Coffee farmers to get KSh80 guaranteed minimum return price per kilo
He said the suspect will be arraigned in court to face charges of handling stolen goods.
Following the arrest, farmers have vowed to stage protests at the coffee mill to ensure ejection of workers at the factory whom they claim have been helping managers to steal from the factory.
READ ALSO: Kenya signs deal with Java to buy coffee directly from farmers
The farmers also applauded the police for the good work, while urging the deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Governor Cecily Mbarire to intervene and ensure all coffee thieves are brought to book.
READ ALSO: DP Gachagua meets U.S. Ambassador Whitman over coffee markets