Agents from the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) of Kenya seized goods worth Ksh59 million during a crackdown in Nairobi County on Wednesday.
Among the Ksh59 million good is Ksh57 million worth of counterfeit fertilizers and Ksh2 million worth of fake detergents.
The agents raided the Kariokor area where they got a hold of 190,000 counterfeit fertilizer bags.
The government which termed the distribution of fake fertilizers as a threat to the nation's food security has unearthed a crackdown against culprits distributing the fake fertilizers as it seeks to tighten the loopholes.
"As planting season begins, unscrupulous traders are flooding the market with fake agricultural inputs. ACA's latest raid seized 190,000 fake fertilizer bags, stopping 9.5 million kg of counterfeit inputs from reaching farmers," ACA revealed in a post.
Speaking after the raid, ACA Nairobi Regional Head Robi Njoroge who was leading the operation revealed that distributing counterfeit fertilizer meant lost crops, lost investments, and lost trust by farmers.
He urged farmers to stay vigilant and on the lookout so as not to fall victim to the fake distributors.
The authority also seized counterfeit detergents worth Ksh2 million in a successful raid in Eastleigh. According to the authority, the substandard products, disguised as well-known brands, posed serious health risks to consumers.
ACA revealed that counterfeit detergents often contain harmful chemicals that can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and long-term health effects and that is why it is committed to ensuring only safe, genuine products reach the market.
The raid comes after Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe assured farmers that the Ministry would ensure that the distribution of fake fertilizers comes to an end in the nation.
The CS further proposed new stringent measures for anyone found distributing the fake fertilizers in a move to protect the country's food security.
Appearing before Members of Parliament on Friday, the CS proposed a sentence of not less than 10 years in jail for anybody found selling fake seeds and fertilisers to farmers.
