The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has issued a stern condemnation following the looting and vandalism of the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Maua, Meru County, during the June 25 Gen Z-led protests.
In a strongly worded statement released on Friday, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe described the incident as a direct assault on Kenya’s food security, warning that such acts could derail the country’s agricultural and economic stability.
“We must never confuse democratic rights with anarchy,” Kagwe said. “Those who destroy and loot agricultural inputs meant for Kenyan farmers are not protesters. They are criminals—and they must be treated as such.”
According to the Ministry, over 7,354 bags of fertiliser—each weighing 50 kilograms and worth more than Ksh29.5 million—were looted from the facility. The fertiliser was meant to support farmers during the ongoing planting season across the region.
Kagwe warned that the destruction could lead to a catastrophic disruption of both food and cash crop production, with ripple effects on family food security and the broader economy.
“This was not just theft. This was sabotage,” he added, urging the National Police Service to urgently track down the culprits, recover the stolen fertiliser, and bring those responsible to justice.
Kagwe also cautioned against the growing trend of criminal elements hijacking peaceful protests.
“Just as police brutality is unacceptable, so is the destruction of public resources. Let us not burn the future in the name of activism.”
He concluded by appealing for restraint and a renewed commitment to national unity, warning that Kenya’s democratic space must not be turned into a playground for chaos.
