Best Maize Seed Varieties in Kenya 2026: Which Variety Works in Your Region?

The most expensive mistake Kenyan maize farmers make has nothing to do with fertilizer prices or rainfall. It happens before the first seed touches the soil — in the moment you choose between the best maize seed varieties in Kenya and whatever happens to be on the shelf in front of you.

A farmer in Kitui plants H614D because it is what the agrovet stocks and what the neighbour planted. It is a highland variety needing 160 to 210 days of reliable rain. The short rains end in 90. The crop dies at grain fill, and the season is lost to a decision made in five minutes at a counter.

This guide covers 28 maize varieties officially sold in Kenya across four seed companies, matched to altitude, rainfall and season length — with yield per acre for each, taken from the companies’ own published tables rather than from what circulates at the agrovet.

Quick answer: which maize variety should I plant?

Your altitude	Season	Plant this
1,500–2,800m	Long rains, reliable	H6213 (54 bags/acre) or H9401 (50)
1,400–1,900m	Long rains, high input	DK777 or DKC90-89 (up to 10 t/ha)
1,000–1,800m	Transitional	H624 or H520
900–1,600m	Unreliable rain	DK8031 or DKC80-33
900–1,500m	Short rains	H513, H516 or H517
0–1,200m	Coastal	PH1 or PH4
900–1,700m	Arid / semi-arid	DH01–DH08 or SC Sungura 301

Everything below explains why, and what each variety actually yields.

The three questions that decide your variety

Variety choice is not about brand loyalty or yield numbers on a bag. Three things decide it, in this order.

1. How high is your farm? Altitude governs temperature, and temperature governs how fast maize develops. A highland variety planted low matures too fast and yields poorly; a lowland variety planted high sits in the cold and never finishes. Every variety in this guide carries an official altitude band. Stay inside it.

2. How many days of reliable rain do you get? This is the question that ruins more crops than any other. A variety needing 160–210 days planted into a 90-day short-rains window will not finish grain fill, regardless of how much fertilizer you apply. Match maturity period to your actual rainfall window, not your hoped-for one.

3. What is available and genuine near you? The best-matched variety you cannot buy is worth less than the second-best one you can — but only if the seed is certified. See how to verify your seed below.

The best maize seed varieties in Kenya by region

County / zone	Altitude	Best-matched varieties
Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu	1,800–2,100m	H6213, H9401, H629, DK777
Nakuru highlands, Nyandarua	1,800–2,400m	H6213, H628, H629, DK777
Kericho, Nandi, Bomet	1,700–2,100m	H6213, H9401, SC Tembo 73
Kisii, Nyamira (upper)	1,500–1,800m	H6213, H628, SC Tembo 73
Bungoma, Kakamega	1,200–1,600m	PHB3253, DKC80-33, H624
Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori	1,100–1,500m	PHB3253, H516, SC Punda Milia 555
Meru, Embu (lower)	900–1,400m	H513, H517, DK8031
Machakos, Kitui	900–1,400m	H513, DH04, SC Duma 419
Laikipia, Baringo, W. Pokot	1,200–1,600m	DK8031, DKC80-33, DH08
Garissa, Tharaka Nithi, ASAL	900–1,700m	DH01, DH02, SC Sungura 301
Kwale, Kilifi, coastal strip	0–1,200m	PH1, PH4
Mwea, Ahero, Bunyala (irrigated)	1,100–1,200m	H517 (officially recommended for irrigation)

Kenya Seed Company varieties

Kenya Seed Company lists 16 varieties across 5 zone categories. Most farmer content covers three or four of them. The gains usually sit in the ones nobody mentions.

Highland varieties (1,500–2,800m, 150–210 days)

Variety	Maturity	Yield per acre	Standout trait
H6213	160–210 days	54 bags	Highest yield in the entire range
H9401	160–190 days	50 bags	Broadest disease resistance; silage
H629	160–210 days	48 bags	Lodging resistant; best storage
H628	150–210 days	46 bags	Heavy flint grain; blight/GLS
H614D	160–210 days	38 bags	Most widely available

A correction worth making plainly: H6213 is often described as a medium-altitude alternative to H614D. It is not. Kenya Seed Company classifies it as a Highland variety, 1,500–2,800m, 160–210 days — the same band as H614D — with a 54 bags per acre ceiling against H614D’s 38. In the correct zone, H6213 is the stronger default. Planted at medium altitude expecting a shorter season, it fails the same way H614D does.

Transitional zone (1,000–1,800m, 120–150 days)

Variety	Yield per acre	Standout trait
H624	36 bags	Higher ceiling of the two
H520	34 bags	Explicit GLS and MSV tolerance

Both are double-cobbing — they need sustained feeding through fill or the plant aborts the second cob.

Medium maturity (900–1,500m, 110–150 days)

Variety	Maturity	Yield per acre	Standout trait
H517	120–150 days	32 bags	Officially ideal for irrigation
H516	120–150 days	30 bags	Blight, rust, lodging resistant
H513	110–130 days	26 bags	Shortest season in category

Lowland / Pwani hybrids (0–1,200m)

Variety	Maturity	Yield per acre
PH4	100–120 days	26 bags
PH1	75–100 days	20 bags

Dryland varieties (900–1,700m)

Variety	Maturity	Yield per acre	Standout trait
DH08	100–120 days	26 bags	Newest release; ear rot tolerant
DH04	75–100 days	24 bags	Widest altitude range
DH02	70–100 days	18 bags	MSV tolerant
DH01	70 days	15 bags	Fastest maturing; stay-green

Full breakdown: Kenya Seed Company maize varieties — all 16 compared

Bayer DEKALB (DK) varieties

Bayer Kenya markets four registered DEKALB cultivars. They split cleanly into two altitude pairs.

Variety	Maturity	Altitude	Yield per acre
DK777	4–5 months	1,400–1,900m	Up to 10 t/ha ≈ 45 bags
DKC90-89	4–4.5 months	1,400–1,900m	Up to 10 t/ha ≈ 45 bags
DKC80-33	3.5–4 months	900–1,600m	Up to 7 t/ha ≈ 31 bags
DK8031	3.5–4 months	900–1,600m	Up to 7 t/ha ≈ 31 bags

Bayer publishes DEKALB yields in tonnes per hectare while Kenyan agrovets quote bags per acre. They are the same figure: 1 t/ha is about 4.5 bags of 90kg per acre. A datasheet saying 10 t/ha and a dealer saying 45 bags are not disagreeing.

The highland pair: DK777 is marketed on MLN tolerance and uniform cob placement for machine harvest. DKC90-89 adds double-cobbing potential and flint grain valued for poundability. Same band, same ceiling — choose on disease history and market.

The early, drought-tolerant pair: DK8031 is the established default. DKC80-33 is specifically bred for wide adaptability across environments and also carries double-cobbing potential.

None of the four suits lowland irrigation schemes — all are bred for 900m and above. For Mwea, Ahero or Bunyala, use H517.

Full breakdown: Bayer DEKALB maize varieties in Kenya

Seed Co Kenya varieties

Important correction. Earlier versions of this guide listed “SC403” and “SC627” as Seed Co Kenya varieties. Checking Seed Co Kenya’s own current product listing, neither name appears in their Kenya lineup or zone recommendations. Those codes appear to belong to another market or an outdated naming convention. If you were planning around either, the information below replaces it.

Seed Co Kenya’s actual range uses Swahili animal names, and the company organises recommendations by rainfall zone rather than altitude:

Variety	Maturity	Yield per acre	Best fit
SC Tembo 73	Medium-highland	53–58 bags	Highest yield; GLS tolerant
SC Tembo 727	Medium-highland	Comparable	Same zones, non-GLS farms
SC Punda Milia 555	105–120 days	38–43 bags	Double cobber
SC Duma 419	Very early	32–38 bags	Best very-early yield
SC Duma 43	Very early	30–35 bags	Excellent for silage
SC Simba 61	Medium rainfall	—	Zones 3–4 specifically
SC Sungura 301	72–85 days	25–30 bags	Recommended in every zone

Seed Co’s rainfall zones: Zone 1 (below 250mm), Zone 2 (250–800mm), Zone 3 (800–1,200mm), Zone 4 (1,500–1,800mm), Zone 5 (1,800–2,000mm). SC Sungura 301 is the only variety Seed Co recommends across all five — the strongest pure risk-management choice in their range.

Full breakdown: Seed Co Kenya maize varieties

Pioneer varieties

PHB3253 (Pioneer Hi-Bred) — 110–120 days, 1,000–1,600m, 700–1,000mm rainfall, 25–35 bags per acre.

Its reputation is regional and well earned: across Bungoma and Kakamega it consistently outperforms H614D. That is adaptation, not brand strength — Western Kenya’s medium-altitude, high-rainfall conditions suit PHB3253’s maturity better than H614D’s highland genetics, even where H614D is technically within its altitude range.

Full guide: PHB3253 maize variety in Kenya

Other seed companies

The four companies above are the ones whose complete official lineups we have verified directly. Others operate in Kenya — the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC), which describes itself as the country’s largest seed maize grower and releases KALRO-developed hybrids in the KH series, and Freshco among them. We are building verified guides for these rather than repeating figures we cannot source. If you are considering a KH- or Tsavo-series variety, ask the stockist for the company’s own printed specification sheet before buying.

Highest yield per acre: the honest comparison

Rank	Variety	Yield per acre	Condition
1	SC Tembo 73	53–58 bags	Zones 4–5, reliable high rainfall
2	H6213	54 bags	1,500–2,800m, 160–210 days
3	H9401	50 bags	1,500–2,800m, mixed disease risk
4	H629	48 bags	1,500–2,800m, exposed sites
5	H628	46 bags	1,500–2,800m, blight/GLS zones
6	DK777 / DKC90-89	~45 bags	1,400–1,900m, full input programme

Read that table with the “condition” column, not without it. Every one of these numbers is a ceiling under good management in the correct zone — not an average, and not a promise. DK777 planted at 1,200m yields less than H513 planted at 1,200m, at more than double the seed cost.

Best maize varieties for the short rains

If your rainfall window is short or unreliable, maturity period matters more than yield ceiling. A 26-bag variety that finishes beats a 54-bag variety that dies at grain fill.

Variety	Maturity	Yield per acre
SC Sungura 301	72–85 days	25–30 bags
DH01	70 days	15 bags
DH04	75–100 days	24 bags
SC Duma 419	Very early	32–38 bags
H513	110–130 days	26 bags
DK8031	3.5–4 months	~31 bags

For Eastern Kenya’s short rains specifically — Machakos, Kitui, lower Meru and Embu — H513 remains the standard choice at 110–130 days. Where the window is shorter still, SC Sungura 301 at 72–85 days is the most reliable finisher in the country.

Seed prices in Kenya, 2026

Indicative retail for a 10kg bag, which plants roughly one acre. Confirm locally — prices move with season and county.

Variety	Price (KES per 10kg)
H513	2,800–3,200
H6213	3,000–3,600
H614D	3,200–3,800
PHB3253	4,000–4,800
DK8031	4,200–5,000
DK777	4,500–5,500

One 10kg bag plants roughly one acre at the recommended spacing — 75cm between rows, 25cm between plants, one seed per hole.

Seed is the cheapest input decision with the largest consequence. The difference between the most and least expensive variety here is under KES 2,700 an acre far less than the yield gap between a well-matched variety and a mismatched one. How to verify your seed is genuine

Counterfeit and recycled seed is the second most expensive mistake after variety mismatch. Recycled hybrid seed typically yields 30–50% less than fresh certified seed.

Do this at the counter, before you pay. Packs of 10kg and under carry a KEPHIS scratch-off sticker. Scratch it, text the concealed code to 1393 — free, any network — and a reply comes back with the seed type, species, variety, class and testing date. Check those match the packet in your hand. No reply means the seed is not genuine.

About 85% of Kenyan farmers know this check exists. Only around 35% use it.

1. Scratch and text 1393. Thirty seconds, no airtime, before the money leaves your hand.
2. Read the variety line in the reply. A common fraud is genuine labels moved onto bags of grain — the message arrives, but it describes a different variety.
3. Buy sealed. Never accept seed decanted from a larger bag into an unmarked packet. On bags above 10kg, check the tag is attached to the seal, not loose.
4. Keep the receipt, packet and label until after harvest. Compensation claims fail on missing evidence far more often than on merit.
5. Never plant saved hybrid seed. Second-generation hybrid seed loses vigour and uniformity — genetics, not storage. Yield typically drops 30–50%.

Report suspect seed to KEPHIS on +254 709 891 000 or via kephis.go.ke.

Full detail, including what to do if you have already planted: How to identify fake seeds in Kenya

Planting calendar by region

Region	Long rains	Short rains
Rift Valley highlands	Mar–Apr	Not typically double-cropped
Western Kenya	Mar–Apr	Aug–Sep
Central highlands	Mar–Apr	Oct–Nov
Eastern (Machakos, Kitui)	Mar–Apr	Oct–Nov
Coastal	Apr–May	Oct–Nov

Plant with the first reliable rains, not the first shower — the first shower is usually a false start. Wait for two to three consecutive days of rain that wet the soil to at least 15cm depth before planting. Replanting after a false start costs a full seed bag and two weeks of season.

Feeding your variety

Yield ceilings assume nutrition scaled to match them. A 54-bag variety fed like a 30-bag variety yields like a 30-bag variety, at a higher seed cost.

Variety tier	Programme
Long-season highland (H6213, H9401, H629, H628, DK777, Tembo 73)	Planta-P at planting → split nitrogen with Hynitro 42 → Supa-K through grain fill
Double-cobbing (DKC90-89, DKC80-33, H520, H624, Punda Milia 555)	As above, but sustained Supasense through fill — underfeeding means the second cob aborts
Drought-tolerant / dryland (DK8031, DH series, Sungura, Duma)	Cytomone at establishment for root depth, plus Organohumos on low-organic-matter soils
Short-season (H513, H516, PH1)	Timing over volume — prompt early nutrition, since there is no time to correct a slow start

Frequently asked questions

Which maize variety has the highest yield per acre in Kenya? SC Tembo 73 (53–58 bags/acre) and H6213 (54 bags/acre) top the published tables, with DK777 and DKC90-89 at roughly 45 bags/acre. All are conditional on the correct altitude band, reliable rainfall through the full season, and a complete fertilizer programme.

What is the best maize variety for the short rains in Kenya? For Eastern Kenya’s short rains, H513 (110–130 days, 26 bags/acre) is the standard choice. Where the window is shorter, SC Sungura 301 (72–85 days) or Kenya Seed’s DH01 (70 days) finish faster.

Are SC403 and SC627 still available in Kenya? Neither appears in Seed Co Kenya’s current official lineup or zone recommendations. Their present range is SC Sungura 301, SC Duma 43, SC Duma 419, SC Punda Milia 555, SC Simba 61, SC Tembo 73 and SC Tembo 727.

Is H614D still the best Kenya Seed Company variety? Not by official yield data. Within the highland category, H6213 (54 bags/acre), H9401 (50), H629 (48) and H628 (46) all out-yield H614D (38). H614D’s advantage is familiarity and availability, not yield.

Is H6213 a highland or medium-altitude variety? Highland, per Kenya Seed Company’s own classification — 1,500–2,800m and 160–210 days, the same band as H614D. It is widely and wrongly described as a medium-altitude alternative.

How many maize varieties does Kenya Seed Company sell? 16, across five categories: Highland, Transitional Zone, Medium Maturity, Lowland (Pwani), and Dryland.

How many DEKALB varieties are registered in Kenya? Four: DK777, DKC90-89, DKC80-33 and DK8031.

Which maize variety works under irrigation at Mwea or Ahero? H517, which Kenya Seed Company explicitly marks as ideal for irrigation. These schemes sit at 1,100–1,200m, below the altitude floor of every highland variety including H614D and DK777.

How do I convert tonnes per hectare to bags per acre? Multiply by roughly 4.5. One tonne per hectare is about 4.5 bags of 90kg per acre, so a variety listed at 10 t/ha is around 45 bags per acre.

Can I plant H614D below 1,500 metres? You can, but it usually fails. H614D needs 160–210 days of reliable rain; below its altitude floor the rains typically end before grain fill completes. Use H513, H516, DK8031 or DKC80-33 instead.

The right seed for your farm

Variety choice is an agronomic decision, not a brand one. The three questions that matter — your altitude, your reliable rainfall window, and whether you can buy certified seed locally — will point you to two or three candidates. Choose between those on disease history and market.

Everything after that decision, from fertilizer to spray timing, is working within a ceiling the seed already set.

The farmers consistently hitting 40 bags an acre in Kenya are rarely using more fertilizer than their neighbours. They are usually planting a variety that matches their farm.

If you want a recommendation for your specific conditions, get in touch through the Solomon Agri consultation service — we build crop plans around your county, altitude, rainfall pattern and available inputs.