The government has directed the Kenya Seed Company (KSC) to review maize seed prices for the long rains planting season.
In an official statement to KSC Managing Director Sammy Chepsiror, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development acknowledged receiving complaints from farmers about the increased prices of maize seeds and instructed KSC to review the prices to cushion them.
"The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, has received several requests from farmers concerning increased maize seed prices for the 2025 long rains planting season," the statement addressed to Chepsiror read in part.
"Following consultations with various government organs, the ministry is directing that maize seed prices for the 2025 long rains season be retained at the same level as in 2024," the statement continued.
Under the reviewed prices, one kilogram of maize seeds will retail at Ksh210, two kilograms at Ksh420, 10 kilograms at Ksh2,100, and 25 kilograms at Ksh5,250.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the decision to retain prices aims to make maize seeds affordable for farmers and support the government's food security agenda.
The new prices took effect on February 25, with the government directing KSC to inform all farmers, distributors, and the general public to prevent fraudulent seed sellers from exploiting them.
Kenya experiences its long rains in March, April, and May—a crucial planting season for maize farmers.
Additionally, the government has instructed KSC to ensure only genuine seeds are distributed, following recent reports of fake seeds in the market.
To combat this, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has proposed stricter penalties, suggesting that those caught selling counterfeit seeds serve a minimum of 10 years in jail without the option of a fine.
"In my view, we should enhance the punishment and make them serve a jail sentence of not less than 10 years without a fine—just go to jail," CS Kagwe stated during an appearance before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Agriculture on February 21.
According to Kagwe, the country's agriculture is a national security issue, and any attempt to sabotage national security attracts harsh retributions.
