Eldoret Court Frees Five Suspects in Sh24 Million Suspected Fake Fertilizer Case

Five suspects linked to the seizure of 4,000 bags of suspected counterfeit fertilizer valued at more than Sh24 million have been released as investigations into the alleged illegal trade continue.

The suspects, Rose Jemutai, Elphas Kiptoo Bett, Hillary Samoei, Hillary Kipkoech and Vincent Kibet, were freed unconditionally by Eldoret Chief Magistrate Peter Ndwiga when they appeared in court for mention of the case.

The court directed investigators to submit samples of the seized fertilizer to a government chemistry laboratory to establish whether the farm inputs are counterfeit as alleged by police.

The magistrate also ordered the release of a motor vehicle that had been seized during the operation, directing that it be returned to the first suspect without conditions.

The suspects had been arrested in Kabenes area, Soy Sub-County, following an intelligence-led operation by a multi-agency team investigating claims of counterfeit fertilizer distribution in the North Rift region.

Police had alleged that the suspects were involved in repackaging expired fertilizer for sale to farmers. The operation followed a public tip-off that led detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters Operations Action Team and other security agencies to raid a homestead where the suspected activity was taking place.

During the raid, officers recovered thousands of bags of fertilizer believed to be part of a wider network involved in the distribution of fake agricultural inputs.

The case comes amid heightened government efforts to protect farmers from counterfeit farm products, especially fertilizer and seeds, which can result in reduced yields and financial losses for growers.

In a separate operation conducted in Moiben Sub-County, detectives recently recovered 624 bags of suspected counterfeit fertilizer after targeting another suspected supply network. Four suspects linked to that operation escaped and remain at large.

The recovered consignment included 64 bags of DAP fertilizer branded Elgon Kenya and 10 bags of Mavuno fertilizer, with each bag weighing 50 kilograms. Investigators said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal groups involved in the illegal agricultural inputs trade.

Agriculture stakeholders have repeatedly warned that fake fertilizer remains a major threat to food production, particularly in regions such as the North Rift where farmers depend heavily on commercial inputs to improve crop yields.

Authorities have urged farmers to purchase fertilizer only from authorized dealers and report suspicious products or traders to relevant agencies as investigations into the Eldoret case continue.