TREASON CHARGES LOOM FOR FAKE SEED DEALERS AS GOVERNMENT MOVES TO PROTECT FOOD SECURITY

The government has declared an all-out war against the sale and distribution of fake and uncertified seeds, warning that individuals engaged in the illicit trade could soon face charges as severe as treason.

In a powerful statement delivered during the launch of the new Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) regional laboratory in Nyeri, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Senator Mutahi Kagwe said the government will no longer tolerate activities that threaten Kenya’s agricultural sector and national food security.

Calling for sweeping legal reforms, Kagwe urged the Parliament of Kenya to consider enacting legislation that classifies the sale of counterfeit seeds and uncertified nursery materials as a form of economic sabotage equivalent to treason.

“Anyone selling fake seeds is deliberately sabotaging the country,” the CS declared. “You are endangering the nation’s food security and risking a national crisis. That is not a minor offense — it is economic sabotage, and it should be treated with the same seriousness as treason. We will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone found engaging in such acts.”

Kagwe said the government has intensified efforts to trace and dismantle networks involved in seed counterfeiting, noting that fake planting materials have in recent years caused devastating losses to farmers, reduced yields, and undermined national efforts to achieve food sufficiency and agricultural transformation.

He directed security agencies across the country to work closely with KEPHIS and county governments to identify and shut down illegal seed dealers and uncertified nurseries, warning that ignorance would not be an excuse for those caught violating the law.

The CS also issued a stern warning to individuals vandalizing farms and plantations, including those cutting down coffee trees and destroying avocado and macadamia farms for short-term gain. He condemned such actions as reckless and self-defeating, noting that they undermine decades of investment by both farmers and the government.

“Even as you steal, use your brains,” Kagwe remarked pointedly. “What will you steal tomorrow after you have cut down all the coffee trees? The long arm of the law will catch up with you. We are already pushing for the re-establishment of the Agricultural Police Unit to protect farmers and secure their livelihoods.”

The CS further decried the rising practice of coffee cherry hawking, where middlemen purchase unprocessed coffee directly from farmers, often exchanging it for alcohol or offering exploitative prices. He said the illegal trade not only robs farmers of their rightful income but also weakens established marketing systems and cooperative societies that are essential for the sustainability of the coffee value chain.

“We cannot allow a few individuals to exploit our hardworking farmers,” he said. “Every cherry sold illegally is a direct loss to the farmer, to the cooperative, and to Kenya’s reputation as a coffee-producing nation. We must restore order and fairness in our markets.”

Modern KEPHIS Laboratory to Boost Research and Farmer Productivity

Highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural productivity, Kagwe hailed the newly commissioned state-of-the-art KEPHIS facility in Nyeri as a transformative milestone for Central Kenya and beyond.

He explained that the modern laboratory is equipped with advanced diagnostic technology capable of performing detailed soil analysis, seed quality testing, pest and disease detection, and plant health surveillance — services that will help farmers improve yields, reduce losses, and meet the standards required by both local and international markets.

“This modern facility will be a game-changer for our farmers,” the CS said. “It will enable them to understand the composition of their soils, detect plant diseases early, and apply the right interventions. With accurate information and scientific support, our farmers can now produce crops that meet the highest global standards.”

Partnerships for Training, Surveillance, and Global Competitiveness

KEPHIS Managing Director and CEO, Professor Theophilus M. Mutui, expressed gratitude to the Nyeri County Government for providing the land on which the new facility stands, noting that it will serve as a hub for research, farmer training, and disease surveillance across the region.

He said KEPHIS plans to establish plant health clinics and training programs in partnership with the Kenya School of Agriculture and Wambugu Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) to equip farmers and extension officers with the latest knowledge in seed certification, plant protection, and sustainable production.

“This facility will empower farmers with modern skills and compliance knowledge so they can compete globally,” said Prof. Mutui. “We are not only focusing on productivity but also on the quality and traceability of agricultural products to ensure Kenya’s produce remains competitive in international markets.”

Protecting Farmers and Securing the Nation’s Future

Kagwe emphasized that the government’s primary responsibility is to safeguard farmers from exploitation and agricultural sabotage, promising that no effort will be spared in strengthening regulation and restoring confidence in Kenya’s seed and crop value chains.

He said the Ministry of Agriculture is working closely with other government agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), and county enforcement units, to curb illegal seed trade and ensure only certified and high-quality planting materials are supplied to farmers.

“Kenya’s farmers are the backbone of our economy,” Kagwe affirmed. “They deserve protection, respect, and the assurance that the government stands firmly with them. Anyone attempting to sabotage agriculture or compromise our food systems will face the full force of the law.”

The CS reiterated the government’s commitment to realizing President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) through agriculture-led growth, food security, and farmer empowerment.

He noted that with increased investment in regulation, technology, and research — including modern facilities such as the new KEPHIS laboratory — Kenya is positioning itself as a regional leader in agricultural innovation and export competitiveness.

As the crackdown on fake seeds and illegal agricultural practices gains momentum, the Ministry of Agriculture has urged all stakeholders — from farmers and cooperatives to suppliers and county governments — to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities that may undermine Kenya’s progress toward a secure and sustainable food system.