Kenya Insights

Tag: SBL director Mr. Joe Kariuki

  • Joe Kariuki Charged In Fake Fertilizer Scam

    Joe Kariuki Charged In Fake Fertilizer Scam

    Josiah Kariuki Kimani, Director of SBL Innovate Manufacturers LTD and Fifty-One Capital (K) Limited, was charged today for allegedly manufacturing, distributing, and selling substandard fertilizer.

    Appearing before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Magistrate Celesa Okore, he was charged with 7 counts, including conspiracy to defraud, forgery, uttering false documents, applying a standardization mark to a commodity that does not comply with Kenyan standards and others.

    He pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The prosecution through Robert Ogallo opposed his release on bail, citing that the accused’s life might be in danger and also taking into account the seriousness of the offenses.

    It is alleged that on 12th January, 2023, at an unknown location within the Republic of Kenya, jointly with others not before court with intent to deceive Kenya Bureau of Standards Nakuru Region offices, forged an agreement, namely value-adding soil amendment and conditioner to organic fertilizer and animal supplement, purporting it to be a genuine, valid agreement signed between SBL Innovate Manufacturers Ltd. and African Diatomite Industries Limited.

    Kimani was further charged with forging a standardization mark number 14617 in the name of 51 Capital, African Diatomite K Limited purporting it to be a genuine standardisation mark issued by KBS.

    The fertiliser distributer and manufacturer denied presenting the forged agreement at the Nakuru offices claiming he had been authorised to add soil and animal supplements to fertiliser.

    Mr Okore heard that the accused also presented to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) the forged standardisation mark.

    The company chief is accused of applying for another standardisation mark number 69392 for manufacturing of organic fertiliser that failed to meet the requirements of organic fertiliser specifications.

    Mr Kimani presented himself before the court following an order issued last week, when the Managing Director of NCPB Joseph Muna Kimote was charged alongside two others over the sale of 139,688 bags of 25kgs of fake fertiliser valued at Sh 209,532,000.

    Principal Magistrate Hon.Celesa A. Okore will deliver her ruling tomorrow, 7th May 2024 at 9 am. The accused will remain in police custody until tomorrow.

  • Parliament Summons Besieged SBL Director Kariuki Over Fake Fertilizer Exposé

    Parliament Summons Besieged SBL Director Kariuki Over Fake Fertilizer Exposé

    SBL Innovate Manufacturers Ltd Director Josiah Kariuki has been summoned to appear before parliament on Tuesday next week over the fake fertilizer expose.

    In a letter to Kariuki, the departmental committee on Agriculture and Livestock have invited Kariuki’s company to parliament to shed light on the issue of fake fertilizer.

    According to the letter, the meeting will discuss the distribution of GPC plus organic fertilizer by the company.

    The committee says it is deeply concerned to learn of the alleged malpractices and outright fraud as revealed by the Africa uncensored Expose.

    “The departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock has resolved to hold a meeting with the management of SBL innovate Manufacturers Ltd on Tuesday April 9 at Parliament Buildings at 2.30 PM,” the letter reads.

    According to the letter, the purpose of this meeting is to interrogate the circumstances that led to the distribution of GPC plus organic fertilizer in the country through the National Cereals and Produce Board despite the act that it has been found to be sub-standard by the KEBS.

    The company is expected to give details and an account of events from company registration and objective, venture and motive for fertilizer production.

    In addition to that the company should provide a copy of the permit to use standardization mark and a copy of the scheme for supervision and Control certification agreement signed between KEBS and your company.

    Also needed are a copy of the company CR12, the total no. of fertilizer bags manufactured and supplied to the market, Chemical composition of the GPC plus organic fertilizer.

    On Wednesday, Kariuki secured orders from the high court stopping his imminent arrest and deposited a Sh 100,000 anticipatory bail.