Public Blows Whistle as Six Arrested in Marsabit Over Diverted Relief Food
The breakthrough came on Thursday night after vigilant members of the public blew the whistle, meaning they reported suspicious activities to the police.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Eve N Njeri
Six suspects are currently in custody at Marsabit Police Station after they were arrested for allegedly diverting government relief food meant for hungry and vulnerable families.
The breakthrough came on Thursday night after vigilant members of the public blew the whistle, meaning they reported suspicious activities to the police. The tip-off was about suspicious activities at a homestead in the Majengo area within Saku Constituency.
Acting quickly on the information, police officers raided the property and discovered a large stash of food hidden in an outbuilding, which is a small building near the main house. They also found a white Isuzu truck parked in the compound loaded with part of the stolen supplies.
Marsabit County Commissioner Stanley Kamande confirmed the raid and the arrests.
He revealed that authorities recovered 74 bags of rice and 10 bags of beans, each weighing 50 kilograms and bearing official Kenya Government relief markings. This proves the food was government property meant for free distribution, not for sale.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have since impounded the truck, secured the crime scene, and moved the supplies to a secure location as evidence for the court case.
Preliminary checks of documents indicate that the rations were originally earmarked, meaning they were officially set aside, for distribution to hungry families in Kachacha Location of Sagante / Jaldessa Sub-county. This is one of the areas facing severe food insecurity due to prolonged drought.
Public Sensitization Worked
The timely arrests occurred just after the county concluded a week-long series of public sensitization forums across Moyale, Sololo, North Horr, and Laisamis – Loiyangalani sub-counties. These forums brought together government officials, humanitarian agencies, and local residents.
During the forums, residents were explicitly urged to report anyone tampering with food aid, selling it, or diverting it for personal gain. The Marsabit case shows that the message worked, as it was the public who blew the whistle leading to the arrests.
Reaffirming the government’s stance, County Commissioner Kamande emphasized that strict accountability will be maintained to ensure aid reaches those facing hunger.
“Relief food is intended to save lives and restore the dignity of the people facing hunger and must never be diverted or misused,” Kamande said.
He warned that anyone found stealing or diverting relief food will face the full force of the law, because relief food is meant to save lives and not to make business.
The six suspects are expected to be arraigned in court once DCI detectives finish investigations and record statements. Police say they are also investigating whether more government officials or business people are involved in the larger network of diverting relief food in the county.
Residents have praised the swift action by police and asked the government to continue protecting food aid meant for the most vulnerable.
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