KENYA – The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has announced that it will not implement the recently proposed fees for phytosanitary services.

This decision comes after significant opposition from industry stakeholders, particularly the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPC Kenya).

“We oppose the implementation of these fees for phytosanitary services by KEPHIS,” stated Okisegere Ojepat, CEO of FPC Kenya. “This is killing Kenya’s export business. We oppose these levies and charges.”

Ojepat expressed his relief on social media, thanking key government figures for their intervention. “PS Paul Rono, thank you for confirming that these levies will not be implemented. Thank you Hon Rabecca Miano for your leadership in this matter,” he posted on LinkedIn.

The proposed fees were set to take effect on July 15, 2024, and included various charges for both importers and exporters of agricultural products.

Exporters were required to obtain a phytosanitary certificate and undergo inspection, with a rate of 50 cents per kilogram and a minimum charge of Ksh100 (USD 0.78). Each phytosanitary certificate would cost Ksh500 (USD 3.88).

For imported agricultural products, KEPHIS mandated a plant import permit and inspection certificate, also charged at 50 cents per kilogram, plus Ksh600 (USD 4.65) per plant permit.

Ship inspections were priced at Ksh10,000 (USD 77.52), with additional charges for large and small vessels. Containers were also subject to inspection fees, with 40-foot containers billed at Ksh1,000 and 20-foot containers at Ksh500 (USD 3.88).

Air transport inspections varied, charging Ksh3,000 (USD 23.26) for large aircraft and Ksh1,500 (USD 11.58) for smaller ones.

These fees were expected to place a heavy burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in agriculture.

The charges would have made it difficult for these businesses to remain competitive in the export market, prompting a strong reaction from the industry.

KEPHIS’s initial proposal aimed to generate revenue for the agency while ensuring the quality of agricultural inputs and produce.

However, the backlash highlighted the delicate balance between regulatory measures and the economic realities faced by exporters and importers.

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