Firm enlists security agency in war against fake seeds

The Kenya Seed Company has enlisted the help of a security agency and county governments in its war against fake produce distributors. Photo/FILE

What you need to know:

  • Mr Bett named Molo, Nyahururu and Eldoret as some of the areas targeted by fake seed syndicates.
  • Mr Bett told farmers, seed distributors and stockists at Immanuel Africa Gospel Church in Kericho, that he had spoken with National Intelligence Service boss Michael Gichangi and asked for help because “food insecurity can bring down a government.”

The Kenya Seed Company has enlisted the help of a security agency and county governments in its war against fake produce distributors.

The unscrupulous traders were slowly killing agriculture through low quality and fake seeds, and in the process threatening food security, said managing director Willy Bett.

Mr Bett told farmers, seed distributors and stockists at Immanuel Africa Gospel Church in Kericho, that he had spoken with National Intelligence Service boss Michael Gichangi and asked for help because “food insecurity can bring down a government.”

“The manufacture, packaging and distribution of fake seeds has grown into a multi-million shilling business and must be stopped. That is why we have sought the help of NIS which has now agreed to assist us track those involved,” he said.

The KSC boss hit out at some of the stockists and distributors engaged by the firm for working with unethical business people to defraud farmers by selling them fake seeds branded in Kenya Seed Company colours and sold in packages similar to those associated with the company.

“Five per cent of our agents and stockists are not honest. Unfortunately, most farmers are getting fake seeds from them right at our backyard in Kitale, but we are hunting them down,” he said.

Mr Bett named Molo, Nyahururu and Eldoret as some of the areas targeted by fake seed syndicates.