The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested three more persons of interest and seized about 3,500 bags of suspected counterfeit fertiliser, widening an investigation into a claimed criminal network accused of distributing fake agricultural inputs to farmers.

The latest seizure brings the total recovered during the ongoing investigation to more than 4,100 bags of suspected counterfeit fertiliser, making it one of the largest enforcement operations targeting the illegal fertiliser trade in Kenya in recent months.

In a statement on Saturday, July 25, 2026, the DCI said that, acting on intelligence, detectives from the DCI Headquarters Operations Action Team (OAT) raided premises in the Kabenes area of Soy Sub-County in Kenya’s Uasin Gishu County, where they arrested three persons of interest and recovered approximately 3,500 bags of assorted suspected counterfeit fertiliser.

“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has made a further breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown on a suspected counterfeit fertiliser network, arresting three more suspects and recovering approximately 3,500 bags of assorted suspected counterfeit fertiliser in Uasin Gishu County,” the agency said in a statement.

The DCI said the trio remain in custody pending arraignment, while the recovered fertiliser has been secured as evidence.

“The suspects remain in custody, undergoing processing pending arraignment, while the recovered fertiliser has been secured as exhibits,” the agency said.

Detectives are also pursuing additional persons of interest believed to be linked to the reported criminal network.

“In the meantime, detectives continue pursuing other persons of interest linked to the criminal network,” the DCI said.

The latest operation follows an earlier raid in Uasin Gishu County that resulted in the arrest of two persons of interest and the recovery of 624 bags of suspected counterfeit fertiliser, revealing the scale of the ongoing investigation.

During that operation, detectives recovered 550 bags of suspected adulterated urea and DAP fertiliser, which investigators believe had been diverted from government-subsidised supplies intended to support farmers. A subsequent search at another location yielded an additional 64 bags of DAP fertiliser and 10 bags of Mavuno fertiliser, each weighing 50 kilograms.

Authorities said several other persons of interest escaped during the earlier operation and remain the subject of an active manhunt.

The DCI has intensified enforcement against the manufacture, adulteration and distribution of counterfeit agricultural inputs as Kenya seeks to protect farmers, safeguard government fertiliser subsidy programmes and strengthen national food security. Counterfeit fertiliser can significantly reduce crop yields, undermine farmers’ incomes and threaten agricultural productivity.

“The DCI remains steadfast in dismantling criminal networks involved in the manufacture, adulteration and distribution of counterfeit agricultural inputs, safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods and protecting the country’s food security,” the agency said.

The recovered fertiliser from both operations has been secured as evidence while investigations continue. Authorities have not disclosed the estimated value of the seized products or identified the manufacturers behind the suspected counterfeit fertiliser. Detectives say further arrests are expected as the investigation progresses.