NAIROBI, Kenya – Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has strongly condemned the looting and vandalism of the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Maua, Meru County, during the nationwide anti-government protests held on June 25.
In a statement on Friday, Kagwe said criminals had taken advantage of the otherwise peaceful demonstrations to destroy critical infrastructure, warning that such acts are a direct threat to Kenya’s food security.
“We must never confuse democratic rights with anarchy,” said the CS. “Those who rob, destroy, and loot critical public installations such as the NCPB are not demonstrators — they are criminals and anarchists, and they must be treated as such.”
The ministry confirmed that 7,354 bags of fertilizer, each weighing 50 kilograms and valued at Ksh 29.5 million, were looted from the depot.
The stolen consignment was meant to support farmers during the current planting season.
Kagwe warned that the loss could severely impact both food crop and cash crop production in the region, potentially triggering supply chain disruptions and threatening farmer livelihoods.
“This reckless act jeopardizes the ability of our farmers to grow food, feed their families, and support the national economy,” he said.
The CS called on the National Police Service to swiftly apprehend those involved in the incident, recover the stolen fertilizer, and ensure the culprits face full legal consequences.
“Just as brutality and loss of life are unacceptable, so too is the wanton destruction of public property and theft of critical agricultural inputs,” he added.
The statement comes as part of a broader national reckoning following the June 25 protests, which were sparked by public opposition to the 2024 Finance Bill and morphed into a wider expression of anger over governance, corruption, and police brutality.
While most protests remained peaceful, isolated incidents of looting, vandalism, and arson were reported across the country.
Kagwe emphasized that the right to protest must be preserved, but equally, law and order must prevail.
“Let us protect our democracy by ensuring it never deteriorates to anarchy,” he said.
The incident at the Maua depot adds to the growing concerns about how criminal elements are exploiting political unrest, undermining both public safety and critical government services.
