The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) on Friday, March 21, seized 233 bags of fake fertiliser worth Ksh2.1 million in a crackdown.
The operation, which took place in Molo, Nakuru, saw ACA officials confiscate the counterfeit fertiliser and apprehend the masterminds behind the scheme. The fake product was intended for sale to farmers in the northern parts of Rift Valley.
While taking possession of the counterfeit farm inputs, ACA warned farmers against falling prey to rogue distributors, citing the significant harm such products could cause to their crops.
“We managed to seize 233 bags worth Ksh2.1 million of fake fertiliser and arrested two suspects who are currently facing prosecution under the Anti-Counterfeit Act,” stated Robi Mbugua, an officer at ACA.
“During this planting period, we urge farmers to be careful and invite anyone to report to us persons distributing fake fertilizer,” another official added.
The latest comes barely a week after Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe ordered the destruction of 27,518 bags of expired fertilizer at various National Cereals Produce Board (NCPB) stores, assuring that the government and the public would not incur any losses.
In a communiqué, Kagwe noted that the costs would be borne by the supplier as the bags were supplied on a consignment basis, with the destruction set to be supervised by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
“Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has today ordered the destruction of 27,518 bags of an expired consignment of fertiliser held in various National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) stores across the country,” the ministry stated.
“The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is to supervise the safe destruction of this consignment of sulphate of ammonia (21%) fertiliser that was delivered to NCPB by the supplier between 27 December 2024 and 6 January 2025,” it further added.
According to the ministry, the consignment delivered to NCPB—totalling 34,100 bags (50 kg)—had initially passed prior tests conducted by KEBS, which confirmed that the fertiliser complied with Kenyan standards.
However, upon delivery, the Board noted the short shelf life of the fertiliser, which was set to expire towards the end of February. Following this discovery, the supplier was notified and instructed to deliver fertiliser with a longer shelf life.
This is as the country has previously been rocked by numerous fake fertiliser scandals, with the most notable one being under the tenure of former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE