Eight Held Over Multi-Million Fertilizer Racket as Court Grants Police Seven More Days
Investigating officer Inspector Joyce Tunge told the court that the alleged mastermind of the operation—identified only as Kotut—remains at large.
Eight suspects arrested in Uasin Gishu over an alleged multi-million shilling counterfeit fertilizer syndicate appear before the Eldoret Law Courts following their detention by police.
Eight suspects arrested in connection with a multi-million shilling counterfeit fertilizer syndicate targeting maize farmers in the North Rift will remain in custody for seven more days following a ruling by an Eldoret court.
Eldoret Senior Resident Magistrate Daniel Sitati declined to release the suspects on cash bail or bond, allowing investigators additional time to complete inquiries into the alleged racket.
The eight are accused of being in possession of counterfeit goods contrary to Section 32(b) of the Anti-Counterfeit Act No. 13 of 2008.
In his ruling, Sitati directed that the suspects be held at Ainabkoi Police Station cells as investigations continue.
“I authorize the investigating officer, Inspector Joyce Tunge, a police officer attached to DCI in Ainabkoi Police Sub-County, for a period of seven days to allow the investigating officer time to complete investigations into the matter,” ruled Sitati.
The magistrate ordered that the suspects be presented before the court for plea taking on March 2, 2026.
Suspects and Seizure
Those in custody are Wycliff Mariga Okudi, Samuel Wacha Juma, Vitalis Onduki Obara, Stephen Vigiza Kashera, Patrick Kamboso Munai, Gabriel Walunyo, Daniel Salano and Kevin Wangila.
They were arrested on Saturday after a multi-agency team acting on a tip-off raided Kotut Balers Agro Feed at Naiberi Trading Centre in Ainabkoi Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County.
During the operation, officers recovered 750 bags of suspected counterfeit fertilizer allegedly destined for distribution to farmers in the North Rift, Western and South Rift regions as the planting season begins.
Police also seized 500 empty bags labeled OCP fertilizer, 500 empty DAP-branded bags, 500 empty wheat bags, three sewing machines, a weighing scale, a moisture meter machine, 10 kilograms of Nova drying agent and 10.3 kilograms of iron oxide.
Authorities believe the materials were being used to repackage and brand substandard or adulterated fertilizer products for sale to unsuspecting farmers.
Main Suspect Still at Large
Investigating officer Inspector Joyce Tunge told the court that the alleged mastermind of the operation—identified only as Kotut—remains at large.
“Your Honour, we are still looking for the main culprit who is at large and are optimistic of bringing him to book in the shortest time possible so that he can account for his actions,” said Tunge.
She further informed the court that investigators were yet to record statements from key witnesses and that the seized fertilizer consignment had not yet been subjected to forensic analysis.
“Your Honour, the consignment of fertilizer product which was recovered is yet to be subjected to the Government Chemist for forensic analysis,” she added, noting that police had initially sought ten additional days to detain the suspects.
The court, however, granted seven days.
Warning to Farmers
Police have issued a warning to farmers and members of the public to remain vigilant against unscrupulous traders selling or distributing fake fertilizer in the region.
The North Rift is Kenya’s grain basket, and demand for farm inputs typically surges ahead of the planting season. Authorities say counterfeit fertilizer not only undermines farmers’ productivity but also poses significant economic risks to the agricultural sector.
Investigations into the alleged syndicate are ongoing.
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