The Directorate of Criminal Investigations in collaboration with the Kenya Bureau of Standards has launched a major operation targeting cartels involved in illegal cement activities.
This comes after numerous complaints by the public, especially end-users of cement, over the quality and quantity of various brands available in the market.
An intelligence-led market surveillance by a multi-agency team revealed widespread malpractice threatening consumer safety and the construction industry.
DCI in a statement said preliminary investigations had revealed the suspects were allegedly siphoning cement from properly packed bags to leave them with weight below the factory units.
Others are allegedly engaging in adulteration of genuine cement with pozzolanic dust, and illegal production of branded empty bags for repackaging.
Transportation and distribution of such compromised products has been found to be high in regions like Athi River, Syokimau, and Kitengela, DCI said.
On Thursday, police officers from the DCI Operations Support Unit, jointly with officials from KEBS, raided several identified hotspots.
In the operation, 13 suspects believed to be main players in the illegal trade were arrested.
During the raid, eight lorries loaded with bags of cement from major brands were intercepted.
The lorries were allegedly found in the process of siphoning and repackaging cement, to increase profits but at severely compromised product quality.
The DCI raised concern about the activities, citing the serious risks that have been posed to millions of Kenyans.
“Poor-quality cement has been blamed for the tragic collapse of buildings, especially in urban areas with a high demand for rental apartments,” DCI said.
“These malicious dealings by greedy businesspeople place Kenyans’ lives, especially those residing in high-rise buildings, at risk,” a statement from the DCI read.
The suspects arrested in the crackdown will be processed and taken to court on Monday as further investigations continue.
The operation is also set to extend into other parts of the country to dismantle such networks engaging in the activities.
The public has been called upon to report any suspicious activities relating to the sale and distribution of substandard cement to authorities.
The operation has highlighted the government’s commitment to consumer protection and the enforcement of construction standards that guarantee public safety.
DCI has also reiterated its commitment to cracking down on fraudulent trade practices that put lives at risk and compromise the integrity of the Kenya construction industry.
by ROZANNE NTHAMBI
