The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) confiscated 233 bags of bogus fertiliser worth Ksh2.1 million in a crackdown.The operation, which took place in Molo, Nakuru, saw ACA officers seize counterfeit fertiliser and detain the masterminds behind the plan.
The counterfeit goods was intended for sale to farmers in the northern Rift Valley. While seizing the counterfeit farm inputs, ACA cautioned farmers against falling victim to rogue distributors, citing the enormous damage such products could cause to their crops.
“We managed to seize 233 bags worth Ksh2.1 million of fake fertiliser and arrested two suspects who are currently facing prosecution under the Anti-Counterfeit Act,” stated Robi Mbugua, an officer at ACA.
“During this planting period, we urge farmers to be careful and invite anyone to report to us persons distributing fake fertilizer,” another official added.
The latest comes just a week after Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe ordered the demolition of 27,518 expired fertilizer bags from various National Cereals Produce Board (NCPB) outlets.The CS assured the farmers that the government and the public would incur no damages.
In a communiqué, Kagwe stated that the costs will be borne by the supplier because the bags were delivered on a consignment basis, with the destruction overseen by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
“Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has today ordered the destruction of 27,518 bags of an expired consignment of fertiliser held in various National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) stores across the country,” the ministry stated.
“The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) is to supervise the safe destruction of this consignment of sulphate of ammonia (21%) fertiliser that was delivered to NCPB by the supplier between 27 December 2024 and 6 January 2025,” it further added.
According to the ministry, the shipment given to NCPB a total of 34,100 bags (50 kg)—had previously passed KEBS tests, confirming that the fertiliser met Kenyan standards.
However, upon delivery, the Board noted the fertiliser’s limited shelf life, which was slated to expire near the end of February.Following the discovery, the supplier was alerted and told to deliver fertilizer with a longer shelf life.
This is as the country has previously been rocked by numerous fake fertiliser scandals, with the most notable one being under the tenure of former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi.
