Strengthening Seed Security & Border Surveillance | KEPHIS Board Visit – Bungoma, 19th July 2025

News / Sun, 07/20/2025 - 14:29

As part of its national oversight mandate , the KEPHIS Board of Directors and management led by Chairman Hon. Joseph M’Eruaki, visited Bungoma County on 19th July 2025, where they paid a courtesy call to the County Commissioner.

The Board was briefed on an ongoing investigation and shown containers of counterfeit seeds currently held at the Bungoma Police Station. Valued at over KES 50 million, the fake seeds were intercepted through joint efforts by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). If these consignments had reached farmers, they would have posed a serious threat to national food security.

The Board also visited KEPHIS border posts at Lwakhakha and Malaba, where they held discussions with KEPHIS staff, the Border Management Committee (BMC), and local stakeholders. These engagements focused on strengthening collaboration to enhance phytosanitary surveillance and inspection, curb the spread of harmful pests, and ensure safe and efficient cross-border trade.

KEPHIS remains firmly committed to its mandate of safeguarding plant health, food security across the country and ensuring safe trade.