Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service - Kephis

KEPHIS wishes all our Muslim brothers and sisters a joyful and blessed Eid. May this special occasion bring peace, happiness, unity, and abundant blessings to you and your loved ones.

Eid Mubarak! 🌙✨

Visit KEPHIS at the Machakos ASK Show 2026 from 3rd June to 7th June,2026 at Machakos Ask Showground.

Come learn more about our services ;
✅ Seed Certification
✅ Plant Health Services
✅ Laboratory Testing
✅ Plant Variety Protection.

Don’t miss out! Our Experts will be onsite. See you there!

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Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND) continues to threaten maize farming and seed production in Kenya. The disease is caused by two viruses — Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV) and Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SCMV) — which can severely reduce yields and affect food security.

To protect farmers and ensure quality seed production, all certified seed fields must be free from these viruses. However, areas under irrigation such as Weiwei, Marich, KVDA Weiwei and Katilu have continued to record high cases of the disease, leading to rejection of some seed crops.

To help manage the spread of MLND, KEPHIS Kitale conducted a training for seed growers in Weiwei Irrigation Scheme on 21 May 2026. Farmers were encouraged to practice crop rotation and observe a closed season to help break the disease cycle and protect future maize production.

On 21st May 2026, KEPHIS Nakuru Region took part in the International Tea Day celebrations held at Momul Tea Factory in Belgut Sub-County, Kericho County under the theme “Fostering Growth and Inclusion.”

The event aimed at promoting inclusive growth within the tea sector by bringing together stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, improve production standards, and enhance the sustainability of Kenya’s tea value chain.
As one of the exhibitors, KEPHIS engaged tea farmers and stakeholders on plant health management, pest and disease control, phytosanitary services, and sustainable agricultural production. The exhibition booth attracted over 70 participants, the majority being farmers seeking information on services offered by the institution.

The event was graced by Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, Sen. Aaron Cheruiyot, and KTDA National Chairman Enos Njeru, among other stakeholders in the tea sector.

During the event, CS Mutahi Kagwe urged tea farmers and stakeholders to maintain high tea quality standards in order to strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness in the global market. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the tea sector through market expansion, value addition, and farmer support programmes.

From 18th–20th May 2026 at Kitale Club, KEPHIS Kitale facilitated a refresher training for Kenya Seed Company Ltd authorized Inspectors and Analysts under the Seeds and Plant Varieties Act and the KEPHIS Act No. 54 of 2012.

The Seeds and Plant Varieties Act empowers the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) to undertake seed certification activities as well as regulate the importation and exportation of seeds. The Act also provides the legal basis for authorization of competent private or public persons to undertake specified certification activities in order to complement KEPHIS and enhance efficiency in the seed certification process.

Authorization creates an enabling environment for effective participation of both public and private sectors in the production, inspection and testing of quality planting material, while promoting sustainable access to certified seed.

Kenya Seed Co. Ltd is authorized to undertake Seed & Field Inspection, Seed Sampling & Testing. The refresher training entailed the principles and practical aspects of the authorized activities and was intended to reduce non-compliance and increase availability of certified seed for enhanced food security and economic growth.

A strong and effective strategic plan plays a key role in driving institutional excellence, measuring impact and ensuring sustainable service delivery. Through such reviews, organizations are able to reflect on milestones achieved, identify existing gaps and realign priorities to respond to emerging needs and national development goals.

In this regard, KEPHIS led by the Managing Director Prof. Theophilus M.Mutui is conducting its Mid-Term Review of the Strategic Plan 2023-2027 at NITA Athi River from 19th–21st May 2026, bringing together the Senior Management Team to assess progress, strengthen implementation strategies and continue advancing the institution’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s agricultural productivity, trade and food security.

to the Human Capital professionals whose dedication and leadership help workplaces grow and thrive every day.

From 13th–14th May 2026, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service Kisumu region participated in the Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) examination exercise of coffee varieties in Busia County, in collaboration with Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Coffee Research Institute.

The exercise is an important process in evaluating new crop varieties to ensure they are unique, uniform, and stable over time. This supports KEPHIS’ mandate of promoting quality planting materials of superior varieties, protecting plant health, and supporting agricultural innovation for improved productivity and food security.

As part of intensifying its efforts in safeguarding Kenya’s agriculture through monitoring and surveillance of invasive pests in nurseries and mother-blocks across the country, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) carried out an exercise aimed at ensuring production and distribution of healthy, pest-free propagation materials while preventing introductions and spread of destructive invasive pests that pose a major threat to crop productivity, food security, biodiversity, national economy and international trade.

Through regular inspections and certification systems, technical assessments, and close collaboration with nursery operators and farmers, KEPHIS is strengthening early pests detection and rapid response mechanisms that are essential in protecting the country’s agricultural sector. Healthy mother-blocks and certified nursery seedlings form the foundation of sustainable agriculture, quality yields, and resilient farming systems.

This initiative also served as an important platform for awareness creation and capacity building among stakeholders on plant health. best agronomic practices, pest management strategies, and the importance of adhering to phytosanitary standards.

KEPHIS remains committed to its mandate of assuring quality agricultural inputs and produce towards a food secure nation and safe trade.






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