KEPHIS Opposes Seed Regulation Bill
By Timothy Kiplimo
The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) Board of Directors has renewed its strong opposition to the proposed Seeds and Plant Varieties (Amendment) Bill, 2025, warning that its enactment could erode government oversight, compromise seed quality, and create confusion among farmers.
The Bill, currently before the Senate, proposes the introduction of a parallel seed registration system through the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), a move KEPHIS says would duplicate regulatory roles and undermine its legal mandate.
Speaking during a visit to the Uasin Gishu County Commissioner’s office at the start of a stakeholder engagement forum, KEPHIS Managing Director Prof. Theophilus Mutui said farmers may be left uncertain about which agency to approach for certified seeds if KEBS is brought in as a co-regulator.
He also raised concern that giving seed producers the responsibility to determine the quality of their own seeds would sideline KEPHIS and the government’s role in quality assurance, potentially opening the door to counterfeit seeds.
Prof. Mutui confirmed that KEPHIS will soon submit a formal memorandum to the Senate opposing the Bill.
Meanwhile, KEPHIS Board Chairperson Joseph M’Eruaki reaffirmed the agency’s role in safeguarding plant health, ensuring seed quality, and promoting safe agricultural trade. He called for stronger collaboration with stakeholders and encouraged farmers, particularly in the North Rift region, to utilize KEPHIS services such as soil testing and access to certified planting materials.
