Agriculture CS Kagwe calls for 10-year jail time for sellers of fake fertiliser and seeds
Kagwe insisted on collaborating with Parliament to introduce legislative measures that protect farmers from fraudulent suppliers.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has called for a strict 10-year jail sentence for individuals caught selling fake seeds and fertilisers, noting that no fines should be imposed as an alternative punishment.
Speaking before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Agriculture on Friday, Kagwe urged lawmakers to introduce new legislation targeting those involved in agricultural fraud.
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He argued that food security is a matter of national security, and anyone compromising it should face severe penalties.
"At the moment, people are caught with counterfeit seeds and fertilisers but continue to walk away with minor charges. But this is a sabotage to the economy. In my view, we should enhance the punishment and make them serve a jail sentence of not less than 10 years without a fine, just go to jail," Kagwe said.
The CS appeared before the committee alongside Agriculture Permanent Secretary Paul Rono to present the 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS). The session was chaired by Tigania West MP John Mutunga.
Kagwe insisted on collaborating with Parliament to introduce legislative measures that protect farmers from fraudulent suppliers.
He warned that fake agricultural inputs not only destabilise families but also have long-term effects on food production.
"When you give fake seeds and a farmer has to wait for eight or nine months to realise they are going nowhere, then a family that intended to feed itself on those seeds becomes dilapidated," Kagwe explained.
"We cannot allow unscrupulous dealers to undermine our farmers and jeopardise our agricultural future," he added.
The CS had previously vowed to crack down on fake seed and fertiliser syndicates as part of his agenda when he was vetted for the position.
Farmers across Kenya have frequently fallen victim to counterfeit agricultural products, leading to poor yields and financial losses.
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