Gov’t officials accused of stealing subsidised fertiliser
Gov’t officials accused of stealing subsidised fertiliser
Five individuals are on trial before Nairobi’s Milimani Law Courts in two distinct trials for allegedly plotting to swindle the Kenyan government out of millions of shillings in subsidized fertilizer.
In the first instance, Kipkorir Ronald Tanui and Edwin Ombui Oseko, both public servants, are charged with conspiring to defraud the Kenyan government of Ksh. 49,789,500 through the sale of 19,913 bags, each carrying 50 kg of subsidy fertilizer.
The Assistant Director of Information and Communication Technology, Kiprotich Ronald Tonui, is accused of recommending Wilson Letunya Mempe’s registration as a farmer with 1,800 acres of land for crop cultivation at Meleo in Narok. The two are also charged with abuse of office.
Letunya redeemed 7,200 bags of subsidized fertilizer totaling Ksh. 18 million as a result, which was detrimental to the Department of Agriculture and Livestock.
Additionally, Kiprotich is charged with suggesting that Wilson Sesat Marindany be registered as a farmer at Sogoo in Narok, with 1,200 acres of land for crop growing. This would enable Wilson Sesat Marindany to redeem 4,800 bags, each weighing 50 kg of fertilizer, valued at Ksh.12 million.
Principal Agricultural Officer Edwin Ombui Oseko, Head of the Fertilizer Unit at Kilimo House, is accused of giving a junior officer in the ICT department instructions to register Benjamin Mosbey Ruto as a farmer at Ololulung’a in Narok, with 1,000 acres of land. This resulted in the person redeeming 4,304 bags of government-subsidized fertilizer worth Ksh. 10.7 million.
Though Edwin was not in court on Friday, the two government officials did not respond to charges. Following his court appearance, Kiprotich is free on a Ksh. 100,000 police bond. On November 27, 2023, a plea hearing for the two is scheduled.
Bimack Kipchirchir, Samuel Kipkosgei Kugo, and Harry Kiprop are charged in a separate case with plotting to cheat the government of 6,150 bags worth Ksh. 15,375,000.
Kipchirchir is suspected of owning 750 acres of land in Narok, which would have allowed him to purchase 3,349 bags of fertilizer valued Ksh.8,522,500 between September 4 and October 16, 2023, at various National and Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and Kenya National Trading Cooperation depots inside Kenya.
Regarding Kipkosgei, he is charged with fabricating the ownership of a 600-acre plot of property in Kilgoris, Narok, between August 3 and September 23, 2023, in order to obtain 2,801 bags of fertilizer subsidy valued at Ksh. 7 million.
Before Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi of the Milimani Law Courts, the three contested the charges. Ochoi then ordered them to post cash bail of Ksh. 4 million each or pay a bond of Ksh. 8 million each with one surety. On December 8, 2023, the case will be discussed in preparation for trial.
