The Seeds and Plant Varieties (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Status Timeline
Proposed
Active now
Public Review
Pending
Debate
Pending
Executive
Pending
Final
Pending
Seed Registration System Established under KEBS
Inserts Section 10A into the principal Act to establish a standards-based seed registration system. The system will be administered by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) established under the Standards Act (Cap. 496) to approve and register seed varieties that meet minimum quality standards.
60-Day Turnaround and Five-Year Validity
Under the new Section 10B, KEBS must review registration applications within 60 days. Approved seed varieties will receive a certificate of registration valid for five years, which is renewable upon application.
Specific Eligibility Criteria and Exclusions
Section 10C limits eligibility for the fast-track system to specific crop categories, including climate-resilient varieties and niche market crops. It explicitly excludes hybrid seed varieties for large-scale commercial farming, seeds meant for export, and varieties requiring extensive agro-ecological trials.
19 Eligible Crop Varieties Listed
Inserts a new Seventh Schedule listing the 19 crop varieties eligible for registration under the standards-based system. The list includes oats, barley, millet, wheat, sunflowers, and various types of peas and beans.
Bill No.
Senate Bills No. 4
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 66
Sponsor
Ledama Olekina
Background
The Seeds and Plant Varieties (Amendment) Bill, 2025 seeks to address inefficiencies and significant delays in Kenya's current seed approval process, which currently averages four years under the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS). By amending the Seeds and Plant Varieties Act (Cap. 326), the Bill introduces an alternative, standards-based seed registration system to facilitate the timely approval of seed varieties, enhance access to climate-smart seeds, and support local food security.
Key Amendments
- Insertion of Sections 10A, 10B, and 10C: These new sections establish the standards-based seed registration system under the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), outline the application and review processes, and set eligibility rules.
- Substitution of Section 11: Replaces the previous provision to mandate that KEPHIS, in consultation with county governments, establish and maintain official seed testing stations across relevant regions.
- Insertion of Seventh Schedule: Appends a new schedule listing 19 specific crop varieties eligible for the fast-track standards-based registration process.
New Obligations
- Application Requirements: Applicants seeking to register a seed variety under the standards-based system must submit an application to KEBS including:
- Technical data proving compliance with minimum germination and purity standards.
- Proof of absence of noxious weeds and seed-borne diseases.
- Proof of registration as a seed merchant.
- A physical sample of the variety to serve as a genetic reference.
- Administrative Timelines: KEBS is obligated to examine applications, verify genetic distinctiveness, and issue a written approval or rejection within 60 days of receipt.
Penalties and Revocation
Under Section 10B(6), KEBS is empowered to revoke an issued certificate of registration under the following circumstances:
- The seed variety fails to meet quality standards during post-market monitoring.
- The registration was obtained through misrepresentation or fraud.
- Post-market monitoring identifies a counterfeit variety that does not match the reference seed sample submitted during registration.
No updates tracked yet
Updates will be visible here once they are approved and applied to this bill.