In a significant breakthrough, the suspected mastermind responsible for the theft of condemned brown sugar, Crispus Waithaka, was apprehended on Saturday night at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) upon his arrival in the country from Dubai.

Waithaka, holding passport number BK 237924, landed in the country at approximately 9:00 pm aboard Fly Emirates flight.

However, his return was met with immediate action from Immigration Department officers, who intercepted him based on a departure prohibition order issued against him.

Upon examination, it was discovered that Waithaka was in possession of an interim order for anticipatory bail of Sh100,000, granted by the High Court in Mombasa under Criminal Miscellaneous Application No. E067/2023, dated May 19, 2023.

The diligent detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) promptly rearrested him and accompanied him to Kamukunji Police Station, where he was placed in custody.

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Come Monday, he is scheduled to face charges in court pertaining to the diversion of condemned sugar intended for conversion into industrial ethanol. This illegal act has raised serious concerns within the industry and regulatory authorities alike.

According to KRA reports, Waithaka who serves as the director of Asset and Cargo Limited, was among the witnesses present during the breaking of the Customs seals on the 40 containers containing the condemned sugar, an incident that occurred on April 20.

The investigative process into the diversion of condemned sugar has reached its conclusion, with the file now forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for further action.

Last Wednesday, Several high-ranking government officials were suspended following the investigation into the irregular release of condemned sugar intended for industrial ethanol conversion.