Police in Molo and Kuresoi North have exposed an illicit trade involving the sale of fake fertiliser to unsuspecting farmers ahead of the long rains.
The scheme was brought to light after two suspects were arrested for allegedly repackaging and selling contaminated government-subsidised fertiliser farmers.
Anti-Counterfeit Authority Regional Manager Abdi Abdikadir confirmed the incident, saying the fertiliser was illegally stored inside a house in preparation for dissemination in the market.
"We found their stash in Kuresoi North. They were storing counterfeit fertilizers, which is a serious offense. We have seized the goods and will take action against those involved," he said.
According to Molo Sub-County Police Commander Timon Odingo, at least 233 bags of fake fertilizer were seized after the raid.
Odinga further noted that unscrupulous dealers in fake fertilizer succeed in their operations possibly because of collusion with insiders within the government, who give them government-issued bags to repackage their counterfeit product. This way, the fake fert
"It looks like they are working with some of our own people. They repackage the fertilizer before selling it to farmers," Odingo stated, warning farmers to be extra cautious as the planting season begins.
The commissioner observed that in packaging the fake fertilizer in government-issued bags, the counterfeit product is able to pass off as a genuine government-subsidized product.
Incidentally, the latest arrest came just weeks after the County Government of Kisii County embarked on an intense crackdown on peddlers of fake fertilizers in the county.
In February, Kisii County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development Elijah Obori flagged open-air markets in the county as the most notorious for selling fake fertilizer.
He also clarified one way to ascertain that fertilizer is government-certified fertilizer is if it is being sold in designated agro-fed shops.
In February, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe proposed a sentence of not less than 10 years in jail for anybody found selling fake seeds and fertilisers to farmers.
