Nine suspects, including prominent businessman Emmanuel Kipkogei, have appeared before a court in Eldoret over allegations of manufacturing and selling counterfeit fertiliser to farmers.
Kipkogei and eight others denied three counts related to counterfeit fertiliser when they appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Rodgers Otieno.
The other accused are Wycliffe Mariga, Samwel Wacha, Vitalis Okudi, Stephen Vigiza, Patrick Omboso, Gabriel Walunyo, Daniel Ndugu and Kevin Wangila.
The first charge alleges that on February 14 at about 3pm at Kotut Balers Agro-Feeds in Naiberi Shopping Centre in Uasin Gishu County, the suspects, jointly with others not before court, were making counterfeit fertiliser valued at Sh3 million.
A second charge states that in February this year, the suspects were found in possession of counterfeit fertiliser packaging, including several hundred bags of different types of fertiliser.
The third charge alleges that on February 14, the suspects conspired to manufacture counterfeit fertiliser involving hundreds of bags.
The suspects are represented by lawyer Jepsongol Tallam, who urged the court to release them on bond, arguing that except for Kipkogei, the others were casual labourers with limited means.
“They are just wage earners with limited means and we urge the court to release them on bonds they can afford,” she said. She also said the charge sheet did not specify the complainant.
The prosecution did not oppose the bond application but asked the court to consider the seriousness of the offences.
Magistrate Otieno released each of the suspects on a Sh150,000 bond with a similar surety, or a Sh50,000 cash bail.
The case will be mentioned on March 11, with the hearing set to begin on March 29.
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