Two people have been arrested for allegedly repackaging and selling fake fertiliser to farmers in Molo and Kuresoi North sub-counties.
According to the Nakuru County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Leonard Bor, the suspects have been repackaging the fake fertiliser using a local brand without a license and reselling it at an inflated price.
He termed the incident as unfortunate, given that it is a key commodity to farmers who are preparing their farms for the planting season.
“Such occurrences are a great threat to the food security in the country, and therefore those found exploiting farmers by selling fake fertilisers will be brought to book and dealt with in accordance with the law,” warned Bor.
The CECM has advised farmers to get their fertilisers from 20 outlets authorised by the Department of Agriculture to sell fertilisers to the farmers.
“It is advisable to buy your fertiliser from the 20 authorised retailer agents that have been authorised by the Department of Agriculture to serve farmers,” he said.
The suspects were found in possession of 233 bags of fertiliser, which have been confiscated and transported to an Eldoret government warehouse for further analysis.
The arrest was carried out by Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) officials, working in collaboration with local law enforcement officers.
The operation was part of an ongoing nationwide effort to crack down on fraudulent activities involving agricultural inputs.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects had been illegally repackaging the fake fertilizer and selling it at sh6,000 per bag, significantly higher than the government-subsidized price.
This fraudulent practice exploited unsuspecting farmers who depend on affordable fertilisers for their agricultural activities.
Molo Sub-County Police Commander Timon Odingo shared similar sentiments with Bor, warning that individuals engaging in such illegal activities would face severe legal consequences.
“This is fraud and a direct exploitation of hard-working citizens. The government has invested heavily in making fertilisers affordable for farmers, and anyone tampering with this system will be arrested and prosecuted,” Odingo stated.
He urged the public to report any suspicious activities related to fertiliser distribution in their area.
The suspect is currently being held at Seguton Police Station as authorities work to determine whether he was operating alone or as part of a larger syndicate. Investigators are also looking into whether similar cases have been reported in other regions.
Local farmers have expressed outrage over the incident, stating that such fraudulent activities undermine government efforts to support agriculture.
“We rely on subsidised fertiliser to make farming affordable and improve our livelihoods. When people tamper with the system, they totally cripple the food production sector, which is key for the well-being of the people who contribute to the growth of the economy,” said a farmer.
The ACA has been actively cracking down on counterfeit agricultural products, warning that individuals caught engaging in such activities will face prosecution and severe penalties.
This case has reignited discussions on enhancing supply chain monitoring to prevent the diversion of government-subsidised goods.
Experts suggest that digital tracking mechanisms should be introduced to ensure that fertilisers reach the intended farmers without interference.
The suspects are expected to be arraigned in court soon, where they will face charges of fraud and illegal business practices.
By Emily Kadzo and Elvin Abere
