Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives have arrested one suspect in connection to the packaging and sale of fake maize seeds to unsuspecting farmers in Nakuru, Kericho and Bomet counties.
The arrest was a collaborative effort between the DCI and Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), who raided a timber yard in Njoro and nabbed 34,780 packets of counterfeit packaging bags, 18 bags of maize seeds, and 6,605 counterfeit sticker labels.
According to Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara, the suspect, Stephen Gicharu, has been conducting this illegal business for months and may have earned him close to Ksh.13 million during that period.
"The combined street value of the confiscated packaging bags, maize seeds and counterfeit sticker labels amount to Kes 13 million. All of which is tax-free," he said.
On his part, KEPHIS Acting Managing Director Simon Maina has advised farmers in the region to remain vigilant and look out for counterfeit seeds, especially during the planting season.
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"Farmers need to extra vigilant since these counterfeits can easily pass as genuine seeds to an untrained eye." he said
