Members of the National Assembly have raised alarm over the circulation of counterfeit seeds, warning that farmers could suffer heavy losses as the planting season approaches.
During a sitting of the Agriculture and Livestock Committee, chaired by Brighton Yegon, MPs questioned officials from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) over what they described as weak enforcement against fake seed dealers. Lawmakers said that last year, many farmers unknowingly purchased substandard seeds, resulting in poor harvests and significant financial setbacks.
Nominated MP Sabina Chege urged KEPHIS to increase field inspections at agrovets, open-air markets, and other outlets where most farmers purchase farm inputs. “Farmers rely on certified seeds to feed their families and communities. Weak enforcement not only hurts production but also threatens food security,” Chege said.
MP John Makali also pressed KEPHIS on how it ensures access to certified maize seeds ahead of the critical planting window, stressing the need for timely distribution to prevent delays in farming activities.
In response, KEPHIS officials said they conduct random inspections of seed distributors, certify seed batches, and work with the police to apprehend counterfeit traders. They also run awareness campaigns educating farmers on how to verify genuine seeds using scratch cards linked to official verification numbers.
Despite these efforts, MPs insisted that enforcement must go beyond inspections at borders or warehouses. Legislators demanded a more visible presence at the grassroots level to deter fake seed sales and protect farmers from losing income due to poor yields.
The session also saw presentations from the Agriculture and Food Authority and the Kenya Veterinary and Vaccine Production Institute, who outlined their budget priorities for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years. MPs emphasized that proper funding for regulatory and inspection activities is essential to safeguard agricultural productivity and ensure farmers’ access to certified inputs.
Committee members warned that failure to tighten oversight could lead to recurring losses for farmers, particularly smallholders who often lack the resources to recover from poor harvests. They urged KEPHIS and related agencies to adopt proactive measures, including regular audits of seed vendors, digital verification systems, and targeted enforcement operations during peak planting periods.
The Agriculture and Livestock Committee is expected to compile its findings and submit the Budget Policy Statement report to the Budget and Appropriations Committee. Lawmakers hope that the report will strengthen regulatory measures and improve seed quality assurance ahead of the next planting season, ensuring Kenyan farmers can plant with confidence and protect national food security.
