Authorities have reported a significant breakthrough in the investigation of the violent looting and vandalism that struck the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Maua, Meru County, last week. Eight suspects have been apprehended, and over 7,354 stolen bags of fertilizer have been recovered following the chaotic raid on June 25, 2025.
The incident saw a large mob overwhelm the facility, plundering fertilizer, cereals, and office supplies, leaving a trail of destruction that has shaken the local farming community. In response to the attack, national authorities have mandated the installation and operation of functional CCTV surveillance systems across all NCPB depots. This directive seeks to prevent future incidents, provide real-time documentation, and aid law enforcement in identifying and capturing those responsible for such acts of theft and vandalism.
The Maua depot, now a symbol of this escalating crisis, suffered extensive damage, with losses initially pegged at Ksh 29 million for fertiliser alone, a figure Depot Manager Abednego Sangolo says underestimates the true cost. “The looters torched the depot’s main office, stole office stationery, cereals, and vandalised the mobile seed dryer,” he revealed, highlighting the severity of the assault.
The looters, according to DCIO Maua Alex Wasike, employed motorbikes and Probox vehicles to haul away the stolen goods, with some vehicles now impounded as investigations continue. The rapid response by police was insufficient against the scale of the crowd, as OCPD Eliakim Silgich of Igembe South admitted. “Such atrocious attacks in the future will be met with equal force. There is no room for anarchy,” he warned, signaling a tougher stance moving forward.
Despite the quick action, the sheer number of participants overwhelmed security efforts, prompting a broader crackdown. The local farming community has united in condemnation, viewing the attack as a direct threat to vital government support programs. With ongoing arrests and recovery operations, security agencies are determined to track down additional suspects and fully assess the damage. This incident has exposed vulnerabilities in the NCPB’s infrastructure and raised urgent questions about the protection of agricultural resources in the region.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on restoring order and ensuring that farmers, the backbone of Meru County’s economy, are not left to bear the brunt of this anarchy. The recovery of thousands of fertiliser bags offers hope, but the road to rebuilding trust and security at the Maua depot will require sustained effort and vigilance.
