CS Kagwe Calls for 10-Year Jail Term for Fake Seed and Fertilizer Dealers
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has proposed strict penalties for those selling counterfeit seeds and fertilizers, advocating for a mandatory 10-year jail term without the option of a fine.
Addressing the National Assembly’s Agriculture Committee alongside Principal Secretary Dr. Paul Rono, Kagwe emphasized the need for tougher legislation, labeling fake agricultural inputs as a threat to national food security.
“When farmers plant counterfeit seeds, they lose months of effort and their families suffer,” Kagwe stated. He urged MPs to pass reforms that would criminalize such activities, ensuring culprits face significant jail time.
The proposal follows increased reports of farmers falling victim to fraudulent vendors, causing widespread financial losses and poor harvests. If adopted, the new laws would mark a major step toward protecting farmers and strengthening Kenya’s agricultural sector.