Farmers in Kenya are being urged to report anyone selling counterfeit seeds during planting seasons. The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has partnered with the police to eradicate fake seeds, improve seed quality, and boost agricultural productivity. The agency warns against buying grains from local markets, as using uncertified seeds can lead to low food yields and food insecurity. KEPHIS advises farmers to buy certified seeds from agrovets vetted by KEPHIS, and has increased its surveillance efforts. The Seed and Plant Varieties Act, Cap. 326 of 2012, stipulates penalties for those involved. KEPHIS has partnered with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) and universities to advance research on developing drought-tolerant seed varieties to address climate change.
Farmers in Kenya are being advised to be vigilant against being cheated by unscrupulous traders who have formed rackets dealing in fake seeds and substandard farm inputs. Nakuru County Executive Committee Member in charge of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Leonard Bor said that the use of certified seeds and fertilizers contributes to food security when there is sufficient rainfall. Bor advised farmers to avoid buying seeds packed in open containers that were not labelled, as such traders were not licensed by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) to stock certified seeds. The distribution of counterfeit seeds and substandard farm inputs is a big threat to food security, contributing to poor harvests and low crop production, triggering increased cost of living through food imports from other countries. Governor Susan Kihika’s administration has resolved to partner with the Kenya Seed Company to conduct training and organize farmers’ field days to tackle the counterfeit seed and poor-quality farm inputs menace. The CECM indicated that traceability of certified seeds is easy and advised farmers to keep the packet and receipt as evidence in case of suspected fake seeds.
Tharaka Nithi residents are celebrating after the county government and Chuka University signed a memorandum of partnership to establish an industrial park. Governor Muthomi Njuki emphasized that both parties are custodians of public land, and the memorandum is about mutual benefit rather than competition. Chuka University will use the park for research projects, and the agreement was witnessed by Chuka University Vice Chancellor Professor Henry Mutembei M’Ikiugu and Tharaka Nithi Deputy Governor Nyaga Muisraeli.
Kajiado County Director for Gender, Mary Taiko, is urging residents to utilise Gender-Based Violence Recovery Centres (GBVRC) to address the issue of gender-based violence. The director states that many men and women in the community are suffering from GBV and that GBV centres are available at Kajiado referral, Loitoktok, and Ngong sub-county hospitals. Taiko also urges men to open up when they feel distressed, as it is not taboo to seek help. The recent drought has led to increased cases of mental health among men, who cannot fend for their families. Kajiado Boda Boda chairman Fredrick Risa also notes that most men in the sector are also undergoing violence at home but are not coming out to speak due to stigmatization. The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022 shows that 36% of women aged 15–49 years in Kajiado County have experienced physical violence since age 15, 37% of women who have ever been married or had an intimate partner have experienced physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional violence, and 25% of married women or those with intimate partners have experienced violence. GBV victims are encouraged to use GBV toll-free helplines 1195 and 1198 for free tele-counselling services.
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