The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Maua, Meru County, suffered extensive damage and looting during the recent June 25 protests. Preliminary assessments show that over 7,354 bags of fertiliser valued at over Ksh29.5 million were looted from the depot.
The brazen attack has raised significant concerns about the nation's agricultural stability.
In a statement issued on Friday, June 27, Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe revealed the full extent of the vandalization, describing the incident as a "direct assault on Kenya’s food security." He emphasized that the stolen fertilizer was critical, intended to support farmers through the crucial current planting season.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development unequivocally condemns the vandalism and looting of the NCPB depot in Maua, Meru county on June 25, 2025,” Kagwe stated emphatically, highlighting the government's grave disapproval of the acts.
He reinforced the severity of the situation by adding, “The attack on the NCPB depot is not just a property crime, it is a direct assault on Kenya’s food security.” This powerful declaration from the Agriculture CS underscores the serious implications for farmers and the country’s ability to feed its population.
As he voiced his condemnation, Kagwe also urged citizens not to “confuse democratic rights with anarchy.” The protests held on Wednesday, June 25, were meant to be in honour of Gen Zs who lost their lives in last year’s anti-Finance Bill demos, but were marred with instances of hooliganism and looting.
The CS further warned that the loss occasioned by the looting threatened to trigger a catastrophic crisis for both food and cash crop production.
Footage obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed citizens carrying sacks of fertiliser from the depot, seemingly taking advantage of the chaos brought about by the protests. Some could be seen carrying the fertiliser on their backs while others used boda bodas.
The clips later showed a section of the depot set ablaze as the events threatened to turn violent. Notably, authorities were nowhere to be seen in the footage captured.
To that effect, Kagwe urged the National Police Service to take urgent action and make arrests over the looting and ensure that the stolen items were recovered.
“We therefore urge the National Police Service to act with urgency in apprehending those involved in the looting and vandalism, recover the stolen fertiliser and prosecute per the law,” Kagwe stated.
In castigating the looting, the CS stated that such actions undermined the legitimacy of peaceful protests and cast a blemish on the credibility of democracy.
“Just as brutality and loss of life are unacceptable, so too is the wanton destruction of public property and theft of critical agricultural inputs,” CS Kagwe asserted.
