Seven Suspects Arraigned For Hawking Fake Seeds in Kisii, Nyamira Counties

KISII, Kenya January 29 -Seven people were on Monday charged in court for selling uncertified and fake seeds to farmers in Kisii and Nyamira counties.

The Kenya Health Inspectorate Services(KEPHIS) confiscated the seeds from different markets in the region including Daraja Mbili where a trader was arrested while selling the fake maize seeds in a measuring tin in contravention of set rules.

KEPHIS acting Deputy Director Chelangat Taanui revealed they camped in the two counties to ensure farmers are getting right and certified seed for planting and weed away fake seeds.

“We impounded 210 kilograms of fake seeds and arrested three suspects in Kisii county from Nyakoe, Suneka and Daraja Mbili markets while in Nyamira 100 kilograms of such seeds were impounded from four people,” said Tanui.

Tanui said his team would visit several agrovets and all other outlets to ensure that the farmers are not duped into buying fake farm inputs.

He added that the primary motive of the operations across the country was to smoke out illicit dealers from the market.

KEPHIS has warned that many low yields are often a result of the unscrupulous dealers infiltrating the market and selling with the fake inputs.

County Commissioner representative Maina Chege has also said the government continues to remain vigilant and would not hesitate to take action on individuals found selling such fake seeds.