BY IRENE ONYANGO.
A businessman has been charged with conspiring to steal over 5000 bags of subsidised fertilizer valued Sh27 million belonging to the government, which was on transit.
Eric Kiarie Ng’ang’a appeared before Milimani senior resident magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi and denied stealing the 5,000 bags of 50kgs of subsidized fertilizer.
Ng’ang’a is jointly charged with seven others who have already been charged before court.
They include Joseph Muthama Wamakau, Stanley Musyoka Mumo, Martin Munyao Kioko, Beatrice Mwikali Ishmael, Fredrick Gateri, Joseph Muthama Matheka and Anthony Ngei Kimuyu.
They allegedly committed the offence on diverse dates between March 21 and April 27, 2023 at an unknown place within the country.
The charge sheet against Ng’ang’a stated that he stole 1,120 bags of subsidized fertilizer on transit from the Port of Mombasa to National Cereal and Produce Board Depot at Kamwosor Depot in Rift Valley. The commodity was valued over Sh9 million.
Ng’ang’a denied four counts of fraud and theft, allegations the prosecution said was committed on diverse dates between March 21 and April 27, 2023.
Kioko, Ng’ang’a, Mwikali, Gateri and Matheka were charged with stealing 560 bags of prilled urea subsidized fertilizer worth Sh3,080,000 which was on transit from Mombasa to the NCPB Fort Tenan depot.
The fertilizer was being transported on motor vehicle KCC 867 N trailer ZE 6330.
The third count was against the same five accused persons where they denied theft of 560 bags of CAN 26 % N subsidized fertilizer valued at Sh3,080,000.
The fertilizer was being transported from Mombasa to NCPB Kericho deport.
Kimuyu was charged separately with stealing 560 prilled Urea subsidized fertilizer between Mombasa and Kamwosor NCPB Depot between April 20 and 24, 2023.
Prosecution had opposed the release of accused person who was brought to court under warrant of arrest.
