A Uasin Gishu County Multi-Agency Team has intensified its crackdown on counterfeit agricultural inputs after security agencies seized about 4,000 bags of suspected fake fertilizer in Kabenes, Uasin Gishu County, in what officials described as one of the largest recoveries of counterfeit farm inputs in the region.
The intelligence-led operation brought together officers from the National Police Service, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA), the State Department for Agriculture and other government agencies as part of ongoing efforts to curb the circulation of counterfeit farm inputs that threaten food security and farmers’ livelihoods.
Speaking during the operation, Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr. Eddyson Nyale said the seizure followed a series of earlier raids targeting the same suspect, whom authorities believe is a repeat offender involved in a well-organized counterfeit fertilizer syndicate.
“Today we are here in Kabenes with the county and sub-county multi-agency committees to witness the recovery of a huge consignment of fake fertilizer. We have also searched these two stores and recovered about 4,000 bags. This comes even before the previous cases have been concluded,” Nyale said.
Dr. Nyale said the suspect had previously been arrested after authorities recovered 160 bags of suspected fake fertilizer from the same premises about two weeks ago. Investigators later recovered another 850 bags linked to the same purported company in Kuinet, 500 bags in Moiben and 74 bags in Moi’s Bridge.
He said samples from the earlier seizures were submitted to the Kenya Bureau of Standards, the State Department for Agriculture’s Seed and Plant Varieties unit and the Government Chemist for laboratory analysis, with some results already received while others remain pending.
According to the County Commissioner, investigators intend to forward the completed investigation file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) once all laboratory reports are received to facilitate prosecution of those involved.
Nyale described the suspect as “a daring repeat offender,” noting that despite being released on bond following the earlier arrest, he allegedly continued operating the illegal business by bringing in another massive consignment of suspected counterfeit fertilizer.
“This person is well connected and daring. But nobody can be better connected than the Government. The Government reaches every corner of this country,” he said.
He commended local residents, village elders and chiefs for providing intelligence that led to the latest operation, saying the information enabled detectives and other security agencies to conduct a successful raid before the products reached farmers.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspected counterfeit fertilizer was destined for Narok County. Detectives believe the syndicate obtains expired fertilizer, mixes it with chemicals, alters its colour and repackages it as genuine Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer before selling it to unsuspecting farmers.
“They bring expired fertilizer, mix it with chemicals, change its colour, repackage it and sell it to farmers as genuine fertilizer. It is a criminal enterprise driven by the pursuit of quick money,” Dr. Nyale said.
The County Commissioner said the multi-agency team had secured storage space at the Anti-Counterfeit Authority depot and mobilized lorries from various government agencies, including the National Police Service, KEBS and other partners, to transport the seized fertilizer due to the large quantity recovered.
He appealed to farmers to remain vigilant and purchase agricultural inputs only from authorized dealers, warning that counterfeit fertilizer not only causes significant financial losses but also lowers crop yields, undermines food production and discourages investment in agriculture.
“It is unfortunate that when farmers are already facing difficult weather conditions, there are individuals exploiting them through fake farm inputs. I urge farmers to remain cautious and continue sharing information with authorities whenever they suspect illegal activities,” he said.
Nyale added that investigators would seek tougher bail terms against the suspect, citing his alleged repeat offences and the continued threat posed to farmers and the agricultural sector.
“We are hopeful that, based on the evidence already gathered and the laboratory results received, this suspect will be denied bond because he is a repeat offender. We cannot allow such criminal activities to continue,” he said.
County Police Commander Wilberforce Sicharani said detectives had launched comprehensive investigations and were holding eight suspects in custody as inquiries into the case continue.
“We are interrogating them and we’ll keep you posted on how far we have gone, but we are sure very soon we are going to arraign them before court because at least we have some evidence and the evidence is what you are seeing behind us. There is enough fertilizer,” said Sicharani.
He added that officers were in the process of transporting the recovered consignment to the Anti-Counterfeit Authority depot, where it would be securely stored pending completion of investigations and court proceedings.
The County Police Commander urged members of the public to exercise caution when purchasing fertilizers, advising farmers to obtain agricultural inputs only from accredited outlets such as National Cereals and Produce Board depots, Kenya National Trading Corporation stores and designated county last-mile distribution centres.
He said buying fertilizer from recognized dealers helps farmers access genuine products while protecting them from fraudsters who exploit planting seasons to introduce counterfeit inputs into the market.
Sicharani said it was still too early to establish the total number of suspects linked to the syndicate, noting that investigations were ongoing and authorities were pursuing additional leads to identify all those involved in the alleged criminal enterprise.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
