KEPHIS fights proposed Seed Law over fears of cartels

KEPHIS management led by Managing Director Prof. Theophilus Mutui, at the Agency's Headquarter on August 1, 2025. [Mike Kihaki, Standard]

As Kenya's agricultural sector continues to battle the effects of climate change, unpredictable weather, and rising input costs, a new storm is brewing, this time, over seeds.

The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has opposed the Seeds and Plant Varieties (Amendment) Bill, 2025, currently before the Senate, warning that the proposed changes threaten to undermine seed quality control, weaken government oversight, and expose Kenyan farmers to the risk of counterfeit seeds.