Detectives in Kibwezi, Makueni County, recovered 129 bags of rice that had been stolen during transit from Mombasa
This incident occurred when a truck driver was approached by highway robbers in the Machinery region of Kambu on December 21
In his report at Makindu Police Station, the driver claimed he was overpowered by a gang arriving on motorcycles, who, after assaulting him, took control of the loaded truck and left him abandoned near Makindu
The group of four unloaded 500 bags, each weighing 25 kilograms, from the truck, then left the empty vehicle and divided the stolen rice among themselves
Acting on a tip-off, DCI Makindu officers executed a raid at the home of one suspect, who fled with his wife upon realizing police were in the area
129 bags of the stolen rice were discovered outside his residence, and inquiries are underway to apprehend the gang and recover the remaining bags
In another development, police, responding to alerts regarding expired maize and bean seeds as well as fertilizers found on the shelves of various stores in Bungoma County and nearby regions, took prompt action
Collaborating closely with the Kenya Plant Health and Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), they initiated an operation aimed at identifying those involved in this illegal trade and protecting farmers from potential financial loss
The operation commenced in the Kanduyi division of Bungoma County, where officers from Bungoma Police Station, working alongside KEPHIS personnel, arrested Hillary Wafula and confiscated 124 bales of expired maize and bean seeds
The raid continued into Kakamega County, where officers took three suspects into custody at Harambee Trading Centre
These suspects directed the officers to three residential properties, where approximately 70 tons of maize, 10 tons of beans, and 50 bags of 50 kilograms of fertilizer were recovered
Upon inspection, all items were confirmed to be expired and had previously been deemed unfit for consumption, marked for destruction
The suspects were brought to Bungoma Police Station along with the seized goods for processing, as investigations proceed to determine how these expired products made their way into the marketplace
This operation not only emphasizes the dedication to safeguarding farmers but also conveys a strong warning against the distribution of unsafe agricultural commodities
