Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has proposed a mandatory 10-year prison sentence for individuals caught selling counterfeit seeds and fertilisers, emphasizing that fines should not be an alternative punishment.
Addressing the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Agriculture on Friday, Kagwe urged lawmakers to enact stricter laws targeting agricultural fraudsters.
He stressed that food security is a matter of national importance and should not be compromised by unscrupulous traders.
“Currently, those caught dealing in fake seeds and fertilisers often escape with minor penalties, yet their actions amount to economic sabotage. I believe the punishment should be harsher—no fines, just a straight 10-year jail term,” Kagwe stated.
The CS was accompanied by Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Rono as they presented the 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) before the committee, which is chaired by Tigania West MP John Mutunga.
Kagwe reiterated his commitment to working with Parliament to implement policies that shield farmers from fraudulent suppliers.
He pointed out that the distribution of counterfeit agricultural inputs severely impacts farmers, destabilizing households and reducing food production.
“When a farmer plants fake seeds and waits for months, only to realize they won’t yield anything, it devastates an entire family that was depending on that harvest,” he explained.
The CS has been vocal about tackling the issue, having pledged to crack down on fake seed and fertiliser cartels during his vetting process.
Cases of farmers falling victim to substandard agricultural products have been widespread across Kenya, leading to significant financial losses and poor harvests.
