Government Cracks Down on Fake Fertilizer Scam
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) carried out a major operation on Friday, March 21, seizing 233 bags of counterfeit fertilizer valued at Ksh2.1 million.
The raid, conducted in Molo, Nakuru County, led to the arrest of key suspects behind the scam, which targeted farmers in the northern Rift Valley region.
Authorities revealed that the seized fertilizer was meant for unsuspecting farmers, warning that the use of such fake products could severely damage crops and lead to significant financial losses.
ACA urged farmers to be extra cautious when purchasing farm inputs and report any suspicious distributors.
“We have successfully confiscated 233 bags of counterfeit fertilizer worth Ksh2.1 million and arrested two individuals who are now facing prosecution under the Anti-Counterfeit Act,” said ACA officer Robi Mbugua.
Another official added, “This is a crucial planting season, and we encourage farmers to remain vigilant. If anyone comes across individuals selling fake fertilizer, they should report them immediately.”
Government Orders Destruction of Expired Fertilizer
This crackdown comes just days after Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe directed the destruction of 27,518 bags of expired fertilizer stored at various National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots.
Kagwe assured farmers that neither the government nor the public would suffer any losses, as the supplier would bear the cost of disposal.
In an official statement, the Agriculture Ministry confirmed that the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) would oversee the safe destruction of the expired sulphate of ammonia (21%) fertilizer.
The consignment, which had been delivered to NCPB between December 27, 2024, and January 6, 2025, initially met KEBS’ quality standards.
However, officials later discovered that the fertilizer had a very short shelf life, expiring by the end of February.
Upon this realization, NCPB immediately notified the supplier and instructed them to replace the consignment with fertilizer that had a longer lifespan.
The issue of fake and expired fertilizers is not new in Kenya, with previous scandals raising serious concerns among farmers.
One of the most infamous cases occurred under the tenure of former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, where similar counterfeit products flooded the market.
Authorities have vowed to step up enforcement efforts to protect farmers from falling victim to such fraudulent schemes.
Farmers are advised to only purchase fertilizers from certified dealers and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.
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