Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has disclosed that fertiliser valued at Ksh29.5 million was looted from government stores during the widespread anti-finance bill protests on June 25, raising concerns over how the unrest has disrupted essential services.
Highlights:
- Fertiliser worth Ksh29.5M stolen during nationwide protests
- Agriculture CS confirms government depots were targeted
- Incident sparks fears of delayed farming activities
Main Story:
The Agriculture Ministry is counting losses after fertiliser worth Ksh29.5 million was stolen during the anti-finance bill protests that rocked the country on June 25. Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi confirmed the theft, saying the incident occurred at National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots.
The looted fertiliser was meant for distribution to farmers across the country as part of the government’s subsidy programme aimed at boosting food production. With the theft now confirmed, concerns are growing over potential delays in the planting season and ripple effects on national food security.
CS Linturi urged Kenyans to exercise their right to protest peacefully without sabotaging essential services or destroying property. He emphasized that the agricultural sector is particularly vulnerable to such disruptions, which can have long-term economic impacts.
The June 25 protests, driven by public outrage over the now-withdrawn Finance Bill 2024, saw thousands take to the streets in various parts of the country. While the demonstrations were largely peaceful, several incidents of looting and property damage were reported
As the country reflects on the cost of unrest, one question looms large — who really pays when public protest turns into public loss?
