The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has raised alarm over the proposed Seeds and Plant Varieties (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The regulatory body warned that the proposed changes could severely undermine Kenya’s seed quality control system and jeopardise agricultural productivity.
Speaking after a board meeting, KEPHIS leadership urged the Senate to reject the Bill, which seeks to introduce a standards-based seed registration system under the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) effectively creating a parallel regulatory framework.
“KEPHIS regulates the quality of seed and provides certification, but it is now proposed that this function be transferred to KEBS, which will cause confusion,” said Board Chair Joseph M’eruaki.
“One item, seed, cannot be regulated under two ministries.”
The proposed amendment to the Seeds and Plant Varieties Act (Cap 326) aims to speed up seed variety approvals, reduce bureaucratic delays, and increase farmer access to climate-resilient, high-quality seeds.
However, KEPHIS argues that the Bill would dilute regulatory oversight, compromise seed quality, and open the door to cartels seeking to weaken controls for commercial gain.
“This Bill threatens to derail Kenya’s ability to guarantee farmers access to quality-assured seeds,” said KEPHIS Managing Director Prof. Theophilus Mutui, noting that the agency plays a critical role not just in seed certification, but also in inspecting shipping containers and vessels to prevent the introduction of pests that could devastate local agriculture.
KEPHIS officials emphasised that having two separate bodies overseeing seed regulation—KEPHIS under the Ministry of Agriculture and KEBS under the Ministry of Trade—would fragment accountability, disrupt existing quality control mechanisms, and create policy incoherence.
“This is about the future of farming in Kenya. Poor-quality seeds mean poor harvests, and poor harvests mean food insecurity,” M’eruaki said.
The agency fears the Bill is being pushed by vested interests, including powerful commercial cartels, seeking to exploit regulatory gaps for profit at the expense of smallholder farmers.
While the Bill’s proponents argue it will improve efficiency and reduce barriers in the seed sector, critics like KEPHIS maintain that reform must not come at the cost of quality and transparency.
