The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) has called for the introduction of more stringent laws to combat the growing menace of counterfeit seeds, which are threatening Kenya’s agricultural productivity and food security. Kephis Managing Director, Theophilus Mutui, highlighted that counterfeit seeds undermine the efforts to improve farming and contribute to increasing food insecurity in the country.
Speaking at the 12th Seed Trade Association of Kenya (STAK) congress, Mutui underscored that one of Kephis’ core mandates is to ensure that farmers have access to high-quality seeds. The conference, which addressed seed quality and availability, came at a time when counterfeit seeds are having a devastating impact on the farming sector. “Affordable, high-quality seed is essential for our farmers,” said Mutui. He emphasized the need for farmers to be educated on the risks of purchasing seeds from unregistered agro-dealers, as counterfeit seeds often lead to crop failure, leaving farmers with no harvest after months of hard work.
Mutui also warned that fake seeds are a major contributor to the worsening state of food insecurity in Kenya. Many farmers who unknowingly plant counterfeit seeds face the harsh reality of failed harvests, which exacerbates the nation’s food shortage problems. He revealed that Kephis is working tirelessly to track down those responsible for selling fake seeds and holding them accountable under the law. The agency is collaborating with relevant authorities to ensure that traders involved in this illegal practice face severe consequences.
Currently, Kephis is handling several ongoing cases related to counterfeit seeds. Notably, there are pending court cases in Kitale and Njoro, while recent arrests in Meru exposed traders packaging and coloring grains to deceive farmers. “We are warning anyone dealing in fake seeds that they will be taken to court, and the law will deal with them accordingly,” Mutui declared.
A significant concern raised during the congress was the role played by some agro-dealers in facilitating the proliferation of counterfeit seeds. Mutui explained that inflated seed prices by agrovets, coupled with the scarcity of preferred seed varieties, drive farmers to opt for cheaper counterfeit options. In the absence of affordable, legitimate seeds, farmers are tempted to buy fake ones, often leading to severe losses. “The problem often arises when there is a shortage of preferred seed varieties and the genuine ones are too expensive. Farmers, in desperation, turn to cheaper options, which are often fake,” he noted.
To tackle this issue effectively, Mutui called for an urgent review of the seed laws to introduce tougher penalties for those caught dealing in counterfeit seeds. Currently, the fine for selling fake seeds can be as low as Sh100,000, a penalty that does not reflect the magnitude of the problem. For instance, a case in Njoro involved a dealer caught with fake seeds valued at Sh13 million but only fined Sh100,000, a fine Mutui deemed inadequate as a deterrent. “Let’s ensure the penalty is substantial enough to act as a real deterrent. This issue should not be taken lightly. We need the highest penalties to stop these criminals from repeating their actions,” he said.
In addition to amending seed laws, Kephis Deputy Director Ephraim Wachira suggested that fines should be linked to the value of the counterfeit seeds involved in each case. For example, if someone is caught selling counterfeit seeds worth Sh3 million, the fine should be a multiple of that value, perhaps three or four times the value of the seeds. This, he believes, would make the penalty much more significant and act as a stronger deterrent to those involved in this illegal activity.
Kephis is also actively addressing challenges related to seed availability in areas with short growing seasons, such as Meru, where farmers struggle to access the right seeds for planting. The agency’s efforts to fight counterfeit seeds are part of a broader strategy to ensure that farmers have the resources they need to improve yields and contribute to the country’s food security.
As Kenya continues to grapple with the threat of counterfeit seeds, Kephis is intensifying its efforts to combat the problem and ensure that farmers have access to genuine, high-quality seeds. By addressing the root causes of counterfeit seed proliferation and calling for stronger laws, the agency aims to safeguard Kenya’s agricultural future and alleviate the challenges posed by food insecurity.
