Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has called on Parliament to introduce treason-level penalties for individuals selling counterfeit seeds and operating uncertified nurseries, warning that the crime amounts to economic sabotage.
“Anyone selling fake seeds is deliberately sabotaging the country. That is economic sabotage, and it should be treated as treason,” Kagwe said during the launch of modern Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) facilities in Nyeri on Wednesday.
The CS said fake seeds and substandard planting materials threaten Kenya’s food security and undermine farmers’ productivity.
He urged security agencies to intensify crackdowns on counterfeiters and illegal nursery operators, directing farmers to only purchase certified planting materials.
Kagwe also issued a stern warning to criminals targeting agricultural farms, including those cutting down coffee trees and destroying avocado and macadamia plantations.
“Even as you steal, use your brains. What will you steal tomorrow after you cut down the coffee trees?” he posed, warning that the government is considering reinstating the agricultural police unit to protect farmers.
He further condemned the growing trend of coffee hawkers buying cherries directly from farmers—sometimes exchanging them for alcohol—saying the practice exploits growers and disrupts formal markets.
The CS said the newly commissioned KEPHIS laboratory in Nyeri will transform farming in Central Kenya and beyond by offering advanced soil testing and plant health services.
“This modern facility will help farmers understand their soils, detect diseases early, and meet both local and international market standards,” Kagwe said.
KEPHIS CEO Dr. Theophilus Mutui said the new centre, built on land provided by the Nyeri County Government, will host plant clinics, disease surveillance programmes, and training initiatives in collaboration with the Kenya School of Agriculture and Wambugu Technical Institute.
“This facility will empower farmers with modern skills and compliance knowledge so they can compete globally,” Dr. Mutui said.
Kagwe was accompanied by Nyeri Senator, several MPs from the county, and the KEPHIS Board Chairperson during the launch.
The CS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting farmers and maintaining strict oversight over Kenya’s agricultural value chains.
“Kenya’s farmers deserve protection. Anyone trying to sabotage agriculture will face the full force of the law,” he said.
Meanwhile, KEPHIS has warned farmers against buying seeds from unverified dealers ahead of the short rains, noting that some rogue individuals are impersonating KEPHIS officers to sell counterfeit seeds.
KEPHIS chairperson Joseph M’eruaki cautioned that those found dealing in fake seeds risk arrest.
“Our inspectors will soon be going round to ensure farmers are getting the right seeds for planting,” he said.
