Kitengela Kenya, 17^th February 2025.

ACA inspectors have arrested a suspect for having counterfeit agricultural products valued at approximately KES 3,400,000.

The move follows ACA’s heightened war against counterfeit trade and dedication to safeguarding consumers and legitimate enterprises from counterfeit goods.

Mr.  Samuel Kibe Gatitu, was found with a large quantity of counterfeit agrochemicals, including thousands of product units, empty containers, caps, and packaging materials. He was taken into custody and officially booked at Kitengela Police Station for further processing. Investigations are ongoing to dismantle the illicit supply chain associated with these counterfeit agricultural inputs.

Speaking about the operation, ACA Director of Enforcement, Mr. Osman Yusuf, issued a public alert on the rising cases of counterfeit agrochemicals and their detrimental effects on consumers and agricultural productivity. He emphasized that counterfeit farm inputs severely threaten farmers and food security by reducing crop yields and compromising the safety of agricultural produce. He urged farmers to source their inputs from certified dealers to safeguard their investments and ensure food safety.

The proliferation of counterfeit pesticides and agrochemicals presents substantial risks to farmers, consumers, and the environment. These fraudulent products frequently contain harmful substances that can degrade crop quality, reduce agricultural yields, and pose serious health hazards to both humans and animals. Furthermore, counterfeit goods undermine the efforts of legitimate manufacturers who invest significantly in research and innovation to develop safe and effective agricultural solutions.

“ACA remains steadfast in its enforcement initiatives to eradicate counterfeiting in Kenya. The authority strongly advises the public, particularly farmers and agrochemical distributors, to verify the authenticity of agricultural products before making any purchases” said Mr. Osman. He encouraged consumers to report suspicious products or activities to ACA to support the ongoing fight against counterfeiting.

 “This enforcement action serves as a testament to ACA’s unwavering commitment to protecting Kenya’s economy, consumers, and businesses from the detrimental effects of counterfeit goods” He added.

The raid was in response to various complaints by farmers during the onset of the planting season when unscrupulous traders would take advantage of gullible farmers to sell counterfeit agro-inputs.