By Michelle Ndaga
The Milimani Anti-Corruption Court has formally placed on defence two former officials of the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), a businessman, and two companies accused of defrauding the public through the sale of substandard fertilizer worth Ksh. 209 million.
The ruling follows the prosecution’s successful establishment of a prima facie case, marking a significant milestone in the fight against economic crimes led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the criminal justice system.
Those charged include Joseph Kiplangat Ngetich, former NCPB Corporate Secretary; John Mbaya Matiri, former chair of the Business Development and Advisory Committee; businessman Josiah Kariuki Kimani; and the companies Fifty-One Capitals Limited and SBL Innovate Manufacturers.
They face allegations of conspiracy to defraud the public by passing off soil amendments and conditioners as genuine fertilizer between March 2022 and March 2024.
In addition, Mr. Kimani and his companies are accused of forgery, uttering false documents, illegally applying the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) mark to non-compliant products, and using misleading labels.
The court heard that forged documents, including falsified agreements and altered permits, were used to deceive KEBS.
The prosecution further demonstrated that Ngetich and Matiri abused their official positions by improperly conferring benefits to Kimani through agency contracts executed by the NCPB.
However, the court acquitted former NCPB Managing Director Joseph Muna Kimote, citing insufficient evidence to implicate him.
The matter is scheduled for mention on October 16, 2025, to confirm the defence’s next steps.
