By Grace Gilo
An intelligence-led operation conducted in Luluma Village, Makiri area and Maua Township by law enforcement officers from Igembe South Sub-County has resulted in the arrest of eight suspects and the recovery of 63 bags of government fertiliser.
The recovered fertilizer was stolen during the June 25, 2025, demonstration.
The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, condemned the protests after over 7,354 bags of fertilizer, each weighing 50kg and valued at over Ksh. 29.5 million, were looted from the Maua National Cereals Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Meru County.
“The operation also led to the seizure of one motor vehicle, a silver Probox registration number KCW 822T and three motorcycles: KMFS 106Q, KMFY 687H, and KMFM 529E, believed to have been used to transport the stolen goods,” stated the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Additionally, eight bags of cement were recovered along with the stolen fertiliser.
“In a separate yet equally significant enforcement effort in Malindi, Kilifi County, fourteen suspects were apprehended following a meticulous forensic analysis that linked them to property vandalism during the recent protests,” added the DCI.
All the suspects are currently in custody, undergoing processing pending arraignment.
In the meantime, law enforcement officers are following more leads to apprehend additional suspects and recover looted items.