Government Sets Out to Apprehend Unregistered Irish Potato Dealers

You might soon get yourself arrested if you are an unregistered dealer in Irish potato in Kenya following a gazette notice issued by the Ministry of Agriculture.

According to the announcement, any dealer of the said crop, be it a transporter, trader, warehouse, collection center, importer, or exporter who is not registered will be liable for a fine of 5 million shillings or three years’ imprisonment or both.

Part of the notice cited that the Irish potato regulations were gazetted on December 2019 and thus became law, which is why the government began a sensitization exercise on June 8, 2021, which would be followed by immediate enforcement.

“Be notified therefore that anyone who contravenes the law will be arrested and arraigned in court,” read part of the notice.

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The Ministry stated that those found processing the crop without a license will be fined 10 million shillings or face 5 years imprisonment or both.

Also punishable is anyone found with the offense of obstructing a crops inspector. He or she will be charged a fine of 2 million shillings or 3 years imprisonment or both.

Unregistered growers, those with improper packaging, storage, and grading have not been left out either. They will be fined 500,000 shillings or 1-year imprisonment or both.

The notice also states that the selling and buying of Irish potatoes for home consumption may be done through a collection center, medium, or designated market.

“The purpose of these Regulations is to guide the promotion, development, and regulation of production and trade of Irish potatoes. The regulations shall apply with respect to Irish potatoes produced and marketed in Kenya and imported or exported into and out of Kenya,” the gazette notice read.

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The gazette notice further states that persons or entities handling Irish potatoes including processors, marketing agents, dealers, collection centers and warehouses or stores must register with the county government from which they operate.

Upon registration, the County Government shall issue the applicant with a certificate of registration. The gazette notice also states that the selling and buying of Irish potatoes for home consumption may be done through a collection center, medium, or designated market.