A bitter succession battle has erupted at the National Cereals and Produce Board, exposing dangerous ethnic fault lines that threaten to paralyse one of Kenya’s most strategic agricultural institutions.
At the centre of the storm is Joseph Kimote, the former managing director whose dramatic acquittal in a Sh209 million fake fertiliser scandal has triggered a ruthless power struggle that has dragged State House, Cabinet, and tribal power brokers into an increasingly toxic confrontation.
Kimote, whose lawyers are now demanding his immediate reinstatement following his surprise acquittal by the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court late last year, finds himself locked in a fierce contest with acting MD Samuel Ndung’u, who has held the position since Kimote’s criminal prosecution began.
But this is no ordinary boardroom succession dispute.
Behind closed doors, the fight has degenerated into a naked tribal contest pitting Mount Kenya powerbrokers against what insiders describe as the Rift Valley mafia, with Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe caught uncomfortably in the middle.
Sources within NCPB reveal that Ndung’u has been frantically warning allies that powerful forces within President William Ruto’s State House are plotting to advertise the MD position and install a compliant figure. His greatest fear is that Kimote’s unexpected legal victory has complicated these schemes, giving the former boss a legitimate claim to return.
The tribal arithmetic is stark and troubling. The NCPB board, chaired by Samuel Ragwa, includes a Rift Valley dominated lineup featuring Chris Kiptoo, Principal Secretary for National Treasury and Economic Planning, William Kirwa, Laban Kiplagat, and Jonah Marindich. Together with directors Winnie Beauttah, Galgalo Abasoud and John Thongori, they form a powerful voting bloc that Ndung’u believes can be mobilised against him.
In private conversations, the acting MD has complained bitterly that his Mount Kenya roots now count against him, especially following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, which has left the region politically marginalised in Ruto’s administration.
The tribal dimensions extend deep into NCPB’s management structure. Mount Kenya executives occupy what insiders describe as strategic positions including John Gichuru as acting general manager for finance and accountancy, Gideon Muthuri heading marketing and operations, Ambrose Njoroge in internal audit, Karanja Wainaina managing security, and Theuri in human resources.
Kalenjin officers, while present, reportedly hold less influential posts. These include Noah Koskei in corporate planning, Tito Keino heading ICT, Bernard Yegon in risk and compliance, Philip Kandie overseeing warehousing, Dennis Mutai as regional manager for Lake and Western regions, and Emily Kikwai managing the South Rift region.
This ethnic imbalance at senior levels has become ammunition for those seeking wholesale changes at the parastatal. Disturbingly, sources say Ndung’u has complained of facing pressure to pay millions in protection money to rogue board directors and money hungry MPs from various parliamentary committees.
The scandal that brought down Kimote continues to cast a long shadow. While the court acquitted him, it ordered NCPB officials Joseph Ngerich and John Matiri, who chaired the business development and advisory committee, to stand trial alongside businessman Josiah Kariuki, his company Fifty-One Capital Limited, and JBL Innovate Manufacturers over the substandard fertiliser allegations.
Particularly controversial is Nelson Sawenjah, head of procurement services, who allegedly betrayed former colleagues now facing criminal prosecution. Multiple sources claim Sawenjah operates as an underground state security operative, reporting directly to various intelligence arms, a role that has made him untouchable despite the procurement scandals.
The looming changes have already identified casualties. Philip Kandie, the acting head of warehousing, is reportedly being groomed by Rift Valley power barons as the next MD, a move that would consolidate ethnic control over the institution.
Other senior officers watching nervously include Veronica Mapesa, acting corporation secretary and head of legal services, Rosemary Kweya, deputy manager for corporate planning, John Ndonje managing markets and information, and Muoka Mwanga heading technical services.
The ethnic politicisation of NCPB, which plays a critical role in Kenya’s food security through strategic grain reserves and farmer payments, raises alarming questions about governance in state corporations. How the board has failed to address or even acknowledge the dangerous tribal dimensions at senior management levels remains unexplained.
As Kimote manoeuvres for his comeback and Ndung’u fights to retain his acting position, the real casualties may be Kenya’s farmers and food security, held hostage to tribal calculations and personal ambitions that have nothing to do with competence or the national interest.
The Agriculture Ministry has not responded to requests for comment on the succession crisis and the ethnic composition of NCPB leadership.
