The Ministry of Agriculture has issued a public warning after a spike in fake social media accounts impersonating the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), with several Kenyans reportedly defrauded through the scam pages.
In a notice released on Saturday, January 31, KALRO said it had no affiliation with a growing list of fraudulent accounts using its name, branding, and farm imagery to lure unsuspecting members of the public into fake transactions.
Fake KALRO Accounts Targeting Kenyans
According to the organisation, at least nine social media pages have been flagged for impersonation and fraud. These include accounts operating under names such as KALRO Livestock Farm, KALRO Farm Livestock Naivasha, Kalro Farm Kenya, Kalro Livestock Farm, and several other similarly branded pages.
“These fraudulent accounts have been scamming members of the public through impersonation and false representation,” KALRO said.
The authority warned that the pages have been actively soliciting payments and engagements while falsely presenting themselves as official KALRO platforms.
Official KALRO Channels Clarified
To counter the deception, KALRO clarified that it only communicates through verified platforms, including its official Facebook page (KALRO), X account (@Kalromkulima), TikTok page (KALRO_Official), and its official website.
The organisation also shared its recognised contact numbers: 0800 721 741 and 0722 206 986.
Crucially, KALRO emphasised that all payments are processed exclusively through the government’s e-Citizen platform (*222#), and not via social media or personal mobile numbers.
Public Urged to Stay Vigilant
KALRO cautioned Kenyans against engaging or transacting through unofficial or personal social media accounts, warning that it would not be held liable for any losses arising from dealings with fraudulent pages.
“The public should remain vigilant and verify information through official platforms before initiating any form of engagement,” the organisation said.
The warning comes amid a broader rise in online impersonation scams targeting Kenyans. Just last week, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) also raised the alarm over fraudsters offering fake job opportunities while posing as senior officials or recruitment agents.
KPA reiterated that its recruitment process is strictly merit-based and does not involve any payments at any stage.
