KEPHIS Claims Seed Bill Threatens Food Security – Warns Cartels Could Flood Market

Nairobi, Kenya – August 3, 2025 — The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has issued a stern warning over the Seeds and Plant Varieties (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to transfer seed certification responsibilities from KEPHIS to the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).

Dual Regulation Sparks Alarm

The Bill—sponsored by Senator Ledama Ole Kina—proposes a two-tier seed certification system, granting KEBS new powers to register, certify, and monitor seed varieties. While the proposal is intended to speed up approvals, KEPHIS asserts that it would undermine established quality control mechanisms and inject confusion into the regulatory framework * *.

Board Chair Joseph M’eruaki emphasized, “One item, seed, cannot be regulated under two ministries,” warning that farmers may find it unclear which agency—Agriculture or Trade—they must comply with * *.

Food Security at Risk

Managing Director Prof. Theophilus Mutui stated the Bill “threatens to derail Kenya’s ability to guarantee farmers access to quality‑assured seeds.” He highlighted KEPHIS’s critical role not only in certification, but also in inspecting imports to prevent pest entry through ports and cargo * *.

KEPHIS is particularly concerned about the proposed 60-day certification timeline, which Mutui says is insufficient for rigorous laboratory testing and ecological performance trials. This could lead to substandard or counterfeit seeds entering the market, particularly in maize—which non-certified seeds still widely sold raise major food security concerns * *.

Farmers Add Their Voice

Farmers from Narok and Kajiado counties have joined KEPHIS in opposing the Bill. They cited past experiences with fraudulent seeds, which they say halted only after KEPHIS strengthened regulation in recent years.

“Before KEPHIS came in… cartels used to sell fake seeds which could not even germinate… since KEPHIS came in, production has improved tremendously,” said a Kajiado farmer * *.

They fear the parallel system could roll back those gains and make it harder to trace genuine seed sources * *.

Cartels and Regulatory Gaps

KEPHIS Board and officials warn that vested commercial interests may be behind the Bill. With regulatory responsibilities split, rogue traders and cartels could exploit gaps to introduce poorly researched or counterfeit seed varieties * *.

Board Chair M’eruaki asserted that cartels might bypass proper trials, sell substandard seed, and reduce yields—jeopardizing farmers’ livelihoods and national food security * *.

Supporters Cite Efficiency Gains

Proponents of the Bill argue the current system has suffered from delays. Senator Olekina claims that certification timelines can stretch up to four years, blocking farmer access to climate-resilient varieties. Under KEBS, approvals would occur within six months after meeting standard testing thresholds * *.

They maintain that streamlined certification could boost innovation and support sustainable agricultural growth * *.

What’s at Stake

If passed, the Bill would redefine Kenya’s seed control environment by shifting core certification duties from KEPHIS (under the Ministry of Agriculture) to KEBS (under the Ministry of Trade), creating institutional overlap and potential policy incoherence * *.

Biosecurity risks are also flagged: rapid approval may skip crucial phytosanitary evaluations and region-specific trials, both essential for preventing pest outbreaks and verifying ecological suitability.

Next Steps

The Bill has passed its first reading in the Senate and awaits further debate. KEPHIS has submitted a formal memorandum opposing the legislation and continues to urge lawmakers to reject it * . Meanwhile, the agency is intensifying enforcement against agrovet outlets selling uncertified seeds, encouraging farmers to seek registered stockists and report malpractice * .

Bottom Line

While reform advocates call for efficiency and faster seed approvals, KEPHIS and farmers are sounding the alarm over the hidden costs: fragmentation of oversight, potential flood of counterfeit or untested seeds, and risks to yields, farmer income, and Kenya’s food security.