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By Gideon Mutembei

Nairobi, Kenya: The civil society has commended the Kenyan government for its bold decision to ban over 50 hazardous pesticide products from the market, a move announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Hon. Mutahi Kagwe.

During a media briefing at a Nairobi hotel, Harun Warui, Program Lead at the Route to Food Initiative (RTFI), hailed the decision as a historic step toward safeguarding public health and Kenya’s ecological integrity, aligning with global best practices set by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management.

Warui urged full implementation of the ban, emphasizing its potential to protect farmers, consumers, and ecosystems from the harmful effects of toxic agrochemicals.

Background: How the Ban Came Into Effect

The government’s decision follows renewed parliamentary oversight on pesticide regulation, spurred by a long-standing petition to review hazardous pesticides. This led to the Business Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024, which addresses the double standards in chemical regulation—where pesticides banned in exporting countries continue to be used in Kenya. The law was gazetted in December 2024, marking a critical shift in pesticide governance.

Risks of Banned Pesticides

Persistent advocacy from civil society, researchers, farmers’ groups, and public health experts highlighted the acute and chronic dangers posed by pesticides such as:

  • Mancozeb
  • Paraquat
  • Glyphosate
  • Carbendazim

These chemicals, widely used in Kenya’s staple and export crops, have been linked to severe health and environmental harm, including risks to farmers, pollinators, and aquatic ecosystems.

Civil Society Recommendations

To ensure effective and sustainable pesticide regulation, the civil society coalition proposed:

  1. Independent Expert Advisory Panel
    • Comprising toxicologists, ecotoxicologists, agronomists, farmers’ representatives, and public health experts to review pesticide data and advise the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB).
  2. Transparent Public Participation
    • Ensure open stakeholder engagement in pesticide reviews, with public access to risk assessments, usage data, and regulatory justifications.
  3. Enforcement of the “Double Standards” Clause
    • The Ministry of Agriculture should implement strict regulations under the Business Laws Amendment Act (2024) to stop the importation of pesticides banned abroad.
  4. Strengthening Regulatory Capacity
    • The National Assembly, National Treasury, and Ministry of Agriculture must increase funding and staffing for pesticide regulation, as the PCPB remains under-resourced and lacks formal recognition as a state corporation.

Civil Society Representatives Present

The briefing included key voices in Kenya’s food safety and environmental advocacy:

  • Anne Maina, National Coordinator, Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya (BIBA)
  • Eustace Kiarie, Executive Director, Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN)
  • Alice Kemunto, CEO, Consumer Grassroots Association (CGA)
  • Easter Bett, Resources Oriented Development Initiatives (RODI)
  • Asenath Wacera, Executive Director, Community Organization & Training for Risk Reduction (COTTR)
  • Gloria Muchira, Program Manager, Kenya Parliamentary Human Rights Association (KPHRA)
  • Fredrick Onyango, Program Officer, Centre for Environmental Justice and Development (CEJAD)

The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the government in enforcing the ban and promoting safer, sustainable farming alternatives.

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