By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has submitted an application in a Nairobi court seeking for a 30-day detention period of fourteen individuals to allow the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to complete its investigation into the alleged cases of being in possession of counterfeit goods.
The suspects are alleged of engaging in dubious business practices, specifically by acquiring cement from authorized manufacturers and subsequently tampering with the bag weights before selling.
In other instances, they allegedly add an adulterant known as Pozzolanic dust in a bid to enhance the quantities and so interfere with the approved industry ratios, hence compromising standards of quality in the cement that is sold to unsuspecting members of the public.
Read more:http://Authorities Dismantle Cement Repackaging Operations
According to the ODPP, Prosecution counsel James Gachoka informed the court that the DCI is investigating Patrick Munyasia, Josephine Mwalimu, Joseph Kennedy Omanyala, Philip Ndegwa, Jacob Iyadi, Kennedy Wambua, Edwin Kiprotich, Muema Kimuu, George Kiarie, James Charles Mureithi, Christopher Kyalo, Mason Wekesa, Felix Mawesa, and Simon Kaira for being in possession of counterfeit goods contrary to Section 32(a) as read with Section 35(i) of the Anti-counterfeit Act 2008, disposing of counterfeit goods in the course of trade contrary to Section 32(g) as read with Section 35(i) of the Anti-counterfeit Act 2008, and other allied offences.
“In an affidavit sworn by Detective Sgt. Samuel Itegi, it was revealed that such activities may be the cause for numerous incidents of buildings collapsing during the construction, and the same is directly attributed to poor quality cement, which is a matter of great public concern due to the lives lost during such incidents,” said the ODPP.
Despite the ODPP’s request for a 30-day detention period to allow the DCI to complete its investigation, Hon. Dolphina Alego released the suspects on a bond of Ksh 500,000 with one surety of a similar amount or an alternative cash bail of Ksh 200,000 with one contact person each.
Additionally, the suspects have been directed to report to Capitol Hill Police Station weekly. The case will be mentioned on February 5, 2025.