Government says they lost fertilizers worth Sh29.5 million in Meru during the Wednesday protest that claimed over a dozen lives and properties worth millions of shillings in various parts of Kenya.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has urged police to arrest looters who stole over 7,354 bags of fertilizer, each weighing 50kg from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Maua, Meru County.
“We must never confuse democratic rights with anarchy. Peaceful demonstrations are being hijacked by criminals. 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” Kagwe said.
He termed the act as a direct assault on Kenya’s food security.
“Fertilizer was looted, fertilizer meant to sustain farmers through this planting season. This reckless act jeopardizes the ability of our farmers to grow food, feed their families, and support the national economy” he added.
He said the loss is likely to trigger food crop and cash crop production crisis.
