The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) Board and farmers from Narok and Kajiado counties are up in arms against the proposed seed Bill 2025 warning that it will create confusion and weaken quality assurance.
They warn that if the new bill is enacted, it will potentially open the door for substandard or counterfeit seeds to flood the market.
The farmers said the new bill will also introduce cartels who will use shortcuts to sell fake seeds to farmers inevitably leading to low production and food insecurity.
The Bill which is currently before the Senate proposes to introduce a dual certification system involving the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
Speaking during a presser, the farmers called on the Senate to reject the new bill noting that they have total and unwavering confidence with KEPHIS.
“We are completely opposed to the new bill. Before KEPHIS came in three years ago, cartels used to sell to us fake seeds which could not even germinate. We have confidence with KEPHIS. Let KEPHIS assist us in rejecting the new bill.
“Since KEPHIS came in, production has improved tremendously. We are fully impressed by them. They educate us at the grassroot levels on the best farm practices. The Senate should not pass this bill. We trust KEPHIS,” said a farmer from Kajiado.
The farmers said if enacted, the Bill would introduce a second seed regulator, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to run a parallel seed registration system.
They fear the proposed changes will make it harder to trace and access genuine seeds.
Both the KEPHIS and farmers are calling on the Senate to reconsider the Bill, warning that its passage could reverse gains made in protecting Kenya’s seed systems and food security.
KEPHIS warns that this would create confusion in the seed sector, weaken quality assurance, and potentially open the door for substandard or counterfeit seeds to flood the market.
The agency believes the move undermines its legal mandate and may be influenced by commercial cartels aiming to erode regulatory oversight for profit.
KEPHIS Board warns that its enactment could weaken government oversight and expose farmers to substandard and counterfeit seeds.
The board also warned that unscrupulous traders may take advantage of the gap created by the new bill and start selling fake seeds leading to reduced yields and food insecurity.
They said this would create confusion among farmers and dilute KEPHIS’ regulatory role.
KEPHIS Board Chairperson Joseph M’ Eruaki regretted that cartels will take advantage and start using shortcuts to bring in seedlings that are not well researched.
He said if enacted the bill will bring a lot of problems in the seed sector noting that KEPHIS is the best suited to regulate the industry.
“KEPHIS is the only accepted regulator because it represents the government both locally and internationally. The amendment being introduced is not even internationally accepted.
"Cartels will take advantage and start using shortcuts to bring in seedlings that are not well researched. They should not only be researched at the laboratory but all the recommended zones. This is why KEPHIS is the best suited to regulate the industry," said M'Eruaki.
He called for stronger collaboration with agricultural stakeholders, urging farmers to utilise KEPHIS services such as soil testing and certified planting materials.
“We encourage farmers to take advantage of KEPHIS services to ensure they access quality inputs,” he said.
M’ Eruaki said the Bill introduces a parallel seed registration system under the KEBS, which could cause confusion among farmers over which agency is responsible for seed certification.
He warned that this move would undermine its legal mandate and compromise the government’s ability to guarantee farmers access to quality-assured seeds.
The chairman said the agency also fears that the bill may be influenced by powerful cartels seeking to weaken regulatory controls for their own commercial gain.
He urged the Senate to reject the Bill, warning that having two regulators in the seed sector would dilute accountability, disrupt quality control mechanisms, and ultimately harm Kenyan farmers.
