The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting,
digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading
multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
Changamwe OCPD Joseph Muthee (front) lead other police officers as they inspect some of the sacks of fertilizer which were impounded in a go-down in Changamwe Industrial area while being re-packaged in other bags, December 11, 2015. The OCPD said the fertilizer was packed in yellow bags with an expiry date of 2020 but it was being re-packed in other bags with an expiry date of 2024. [FILE]
Police in Lubinu, Mumias East, Kakamega County, have arrested three individuals following the discovery of a large stockpile of counterfeit agricultural products.
On Tuesday, officers from the Shianda Police Station conducted a raid on a home belonging to 38-year-old Asma Mukoya, leading to the seize of 12,835 Kgs of fake fertilizer and 396 kg of counterfeit maize seedlings.
The police report revealed that the haul included 196 bags of 50 Kgs Yarabela Extra fertilizer, 12 bags of 50 Kgs DAP Falcon fertilizer, 14 bags of Chaps Meli DAP fertilizer, 198 packets of 2 Kgs hybrid maize seeds and several bags and packets of counterfeit brands.
Further investigation led to the discovery of a weighing machine, three rolls of sewing thread, a repackaging machine and numerous empty sacks used to repackage the counterfeit products.
The homeowner, the driver of the lorry and a suspected broker implicated in the illegal activity were nabbed by police.
In the last few days, farmers have been lining up at National Cereal and Produce Board (NCPB) depots to purchase fertilizers amid biting shortages.
Volumes of dubious fertilizer are making a major return to the market as planting season begins, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority has warned.
Counterfeit fertilizer worth over Sh23 million has already been flagged as suspected cartels make a kill selling fake inputs to unsuspecting farmers who are in a rush to grow maize this season.
Farmers have been lining up for government-subsidized inputs outside National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots across the country in recent days as rains pound several areas in Kenya's food baskets.
Others have been thronging commercial stores for their fertilizer in a rush to plant.
But unscrupulous individuals, watching the rush from a distance, are enjoying super profits from fake fertilizer.
The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ASA) last week revealed that 19,000 bags that were to be used to package doubtful fertilizer were seized in Nairobi’s Kariokor a few weeks ago.
According to the authority, cartels were repackaging the government’s subsidized fertilizer and repackaging them.
After repackaging, they sell them to unsuspecting farmers as a different brand, deemed to be of higher quality, and overcharge desperate farmers who want to take advantage of the ongoing rains to produce the country’s staple food.
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting,
digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading
multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
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