The Anti-Counterfeit Authority has intensified efforts to eliminate counterfeit fertilizers in Kenya, especially in Uasin Gishu and Nakuru counties. Recent operations have led to arrests and significant seizures. ACA aims to protect farmers and food security by ensuring access to genuine agricultural inputs, while also urging farmers to remain vigilant and purchase only from certified suppliers.
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) has intensified its surveillance efforts to protect Kenyan farmers and uphold food security by eradicating counterfeit agricultural inputs. Collaborating with the National Police Service and other enforcement agencies, the ACA is primarily targeting the increasing threats posed by fake farm products, especially in Uasin Gishu and Nakuru counties of the North Rift region.
A recent operation in Molo resulted in the arrest of two suspects who face prosecution under the Anti-Counterfeit Act of 2008, following the confiscation of 233 bags of counterfeit fertilizer valued at Sh23 million. These bags are currently stored in the ACA’s depot located in Eldoret.
During a media briefing at the ACA depot in Eldoret, Executive Director Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge expressed the significant dangers that counterfeit fertilizers and agro-chemicals impose on agriculture. He stated, “These counterfeit agricultural inputs not only threaten Kenya’s food security and economic stability but also compromise crop yields and pose long-term environmental risks.”
Dr. Njoroge explained that many farmers inadvertently purchase fake fertilizers, resulting in diminished harvests, soil degradation, and financial losses. He affirmed that the ACA, along with law enforcement, is dedicated to ramping up operations against counterfeiters to ensure that farmers receive authentic agricultural products.
Moreover, Dr. Njoroge reported the seizure of 19,000 empty fertilizer bags in Molo, which were being utilized in fraudulent repackaging schemes, highlighting an ongoing issue that authorities are determined to eliminate. The ACA has seized counterfeit fertilizers worth Sh7.4 million and fake agrochemicals valued at Sh39.7 million between 2020 and 2025, significantly disrupting the counterfeit supply chain nationwide.
Neddy Cheptoo, Chair of the ACA Audit Board, emphasized the adverse effects of counterfeit agricultural inputs on food security, which leads to considerable losses for unsuspecting farmers using subpar products. She stated, “We are intensifying enforcement actions to ensure only genuine and approved agricultural inputs reach farmers” and urged Eldoret farmers to remain vigilant, purchasing only from certified suppliers.
Cheptoo encouraged the public to report suspicious agricultural products and vowed to enhance market surveillance. She also cautioned agro-dealers to adhere strictly to regulations, warning that those distributing counterfeit items will face serious legal repercussions. She concluded, “With continued enforcement and public vigilance, we hope to stem the tide of counterfeit farm products threatening our agricultural sector.”
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority’s proactive measures against counterfeit fertilizers are crucial for safeguarding Kenya’s agricultural sector and ensuring food security. The collaboration with various enforcement agencies demonstrates a concerted effort to eradicate fake products from the market. Awareness among farmers and the public is vital to combat this menace, thereby fostering a sustainable agricultural environment.
Original Source: www.kenyanews.go.ke
