KEPHIS opposes proposed seed bill, warns of looming food security threat

KEPHIS Raises Alarm Over Proposed Seed Law, Warns of Food Security Crisis and Harm to Farmers

The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has strongly opposed a proposed amendment to the country’s seed laws, warning that it could destabilize Kenya’s agricultural sector, compromise food security, and expose farmers to exploitation.

In a statement issued following a recent board meeting, KEPHIS urged the Senate to reject the Seeds and Plant Varieties (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The Bill proposes shifting the crucial role of seed certification from KEPHIS to the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), which falls under a different ministry.

“KEPHIS regulates the quality of seed and provides certification, but it is now proposed that this function be transferred to KEBS, which will confuse,” said Board Chair Joseph M’eruaki. “One item, seed, cannot be regulated under two ministries.”

The Bill seeks to fast-track the approval process for seed varieties, aiming to improve access to climate-resilient and high-yield seeds. However, KEPHIS argues that the proposed changes would dismantle Kenya’s robust seed control system and create loopholes that could be exploited by unscrupulous traders.

“This Bill threatens to derail Kenya’s ability to guarantee farmers access to quality-assured seeds,” warned KEPHIS Managing Director Prof. Theophilus Mutui. He emphasized that KEPHIS plays a key role not just in seed certification, but also in phytosanitary inspections at ports to prevent the entry of pests.

KEPHIS officials fear that handing regulatory authority to KEBS would result in overlapping roles, reduced coordination, and a weakened quality assurance system. The agency cautioned that this shift could create confusion between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade, resulting in diminished accountability and oversight.

“This is about the future of farming in Kenya. Poor-quality seeds mean poor harvests, and poor harvests mean food insecurity,” M’eruaki reiterated.

The agency further suggested that powerful interests could be backing the Bill to exploit the divided regulatory framework for profit, at the expense of small-scale farmers.

While proponents of the Bill argue it will reduce bureaucratic delays and enhance access to improved seeds, KEPHIS insists reforms should not compromise quality control, transparency, or farmer protection.