Officers from the Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) have successfully dismantled a major counterfeit fertiliser syndicate operating in the bustling Kariokor area of Starehe Sub County, Nairobi. The operation, carried out following a tip-off from an informant, led to the arrest of a trader suspected of illegally repackaging and distributing counterfeit fertiliser. Over 19,000 counterfeit fertiliser bags, branded with the well-known Yara logo, were seized during the raid.
The operation was led by Abdi Abikar, Regional Manager for ACA Nairobi, who described how the team ambushed the suspect and his workers as they were preparing fertiliser for illegal sale. “Upon arriving this morning, we found approximately 19,105 Yara-branded bags that had previously been used to repackage fake fertilisers. These counterfeit products have been sold to farmers, contributing to the food insecurity the country faces,” Abikar stated.
Abikar explained that the counterfeit fertiliser was being repackaged from genuine products purchased in Athi River, before being sold in Yara-branded bags of various sizes, including 10kg, 25kg, and 50kg. “Selling fake fertiliser means food production will be severely impacted. This is why we are conducting these raids – to protect both the brand owners’ intellectual property and to safeguard agricultural productivity,” he added.
With the rainy season approaching and farmers in key maize-growing regions like the North Rift and Western Kenya preparing for planting, ACA officials have noted a concerning surge in counterfeit fertiliser entering the market. Similar crackdowns in Kitale, Bungoma, Kakamega, and Kisii have revealed a network of counterfeit fertiliser reaching Nairobi, prompting further investigations.
“These raids, which stemmed from investigations in other regions, have brought us here today. We are now actively pursuing the suspected ringleader of this syndicate,” Abikar explained. Legal action is expected to follow.
The government’s intervention has been met with support from the trademark-owning company, which requested to remain anonymous. A representative commended the ACA’s efforts: “Counterfeit products damage trust among farmers and undermine the credibility of genuine brands. We are grateful for the government’s proactive approach to eradicating these illegal activities, and we remain committed to providing the best quality products to the market.”
The 19,000 counterfeit bags, had they been filled with fertiliser and sold at the market rate of Ksh 3,000 per 50kg bag, could have defrauded farmers of Ksh 57 million, representing a significant financial loss and threat to agricultural productivity. This highlights the immense scale of the damage caused by the illegal trade in counterfeit agricultural products.
Abikar urged all stakeholders, from farmers to distributors and consumers, to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving counterfeit agricultural goods. “Counterfeiting affects not only productivity and livelihoods but also poses a severe risk to national food security, particularly at this critical time,” he warned.
Following the success of this operation, ACA intends to carry out further raids to dismantle more counterfeit fertiliser operations and apprehend those responsible for the illegal trade.
Starehe’s Deputy County Commissioner, John Kisang, expressed his commitment to ensuring that similar illegal activities are swiftly eradicated. “We are closely monitoring these activities to ensure farmers receive genuine fertiliser, which is crucial for food production during the upcoming rainy season,” Kisang said. He also highlighted that last year, similar counterfeit fertiliser operations were discovered once the products had already been packaged, but this time, the illegal activity was disrupted before packaging.
Kisang further pledged that his office would continue supporting all government agencies working to ensure that genuine fertiliser, as well as quality seeds, are delivered to farmers, fostering the country’s agricultural growth.
However, a source close to the scene suggested that the bags seized during the raid were not only rejects by Yara but also from other packaging companies. These bags were reportedly being resold to other traders for a variety of illicit purposes.
