The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has seized 160 bags of counterfeit bean seeds and several unmarked bags of fake cotton seeds during a raid in Busia County on Tuesday, September 8.
The operation, carried out in collaboration with the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), exposed what Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah described as a scandal involving the county government.
The fake seeds were recovered from the Nambale Sub-County Agricultural Offices.
“We have confirmed through agricultural services that these seeds failed germination tests. Some bags were even infested with weevils. We have also been told that the supply came directly from the Busia County Government,” Omtatah said at the scene.
The senator, who joined DCI and KEPHIS officials in the raid, added that although the fake seeds had already been distributed to several farmers across the county, this was the first time his team had secured hard evidence.
The investigation began after Omtatah’s oversight team received a tip-off about suspicious seed distribution.
He then involved government agencies, who moved in swiftly to secure the counterfeit stock.
“We have a whole team of government officials ready to act and protect Kenyan farmers from unscrupulous dealers. This raid is just the beginning,” he assured.
The bust comes just days after KEPHIS Managing Director, Theophilus Mutui, cautioned farmers to remain vigilant as they prepare for the short rains planting season.
He warned agrovets against stocking fake seeds and revealed that inspectors had been deployed nationwide.
“Any person found selling counterfeit seeds will be arrested and prosecuted under the Seeds and Plant Varieties Act,” Mutui said.
With the planting season around the corner, the revelations have sparked concern among farmers, many of whom rely heavily on certified seeds for a successful harvest.
