BY IRENE ONYANGO.
The director of two companies behind the sale of fake fertiliser has been released on bond.
Josiah Kariuki Kimani, the director of SBL Innovate Manufacturers LTD and Fifty-One Capital (K) Limited was ordered by the court to deposit a bond of Sh5 million in court to secure his release.
The court directed gave him an alternative pf paying cash bail of Sh2 million.
The prosecution through Robert Ogallo had opposed his release on bail, alleging that Kimani’s life might be in danger and also taking into account the seriousness of the offenses.
His lawyer opposed the prosecution application saying the offences were bailable.
Kariuki appeared before Milimani Anti-Corruption Principal Magistrate Celesa Okore on Monday and denied the charges levelled against him including manufacturing, distributing, and selling substandard fertilizer.
He was charged with seven counts, including conspiracy to defraud, forgery, uttering false documents, applying a standardization mark to a commodity that does not comply with Kenyan standards and others.
It is alleged that on 12th January, 2023, at an unknown location, jointly with others not before court with intent to deceive Kenya Bureau of Standards Nakuru Region offices, forged an agreement, namely value-adding soil amendment and conditioner to organic fertilizer and animal supplement, purporting it to be a genuine, valid agreement signed between SBL Innovate Manufacturers Ltd. and African Diatomite Industries Limited.
