CS Kagwe orders nationwide pesticide crackdown

By Joseph Ng’ang’a(KNA)

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has ordered a nationwide crackdown on illegal and unsafe pesticides. The CS warned that Kenya will not become a dumping ground for products banned in other countries. 

Kagwe said the Government would tighten controls at border points and across the domestic market to protect farmers, consumers and the food chain from hazardous chemicals. “My pronouncement is clear: a pesticide banned anywhere in the world will be banned in Kenya,” Kagwe said.

He added that countries within the East African Community (EAC) should adopt a common position on banned pesticides, with Kenya also pushing for similar harmonisation across the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

The CS said Kenya had a responsibility to protect its population from pesticides associated with serious health risks, particularly where scientific evidence raises concerns about long-term exposure.

The Government’s tough stance comes as the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) reports a 95 per cent reduction in unauthorised and smuggled pesticides entering the country.

PCPB Chief Executive Fredrick Muchiri told the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries that the regulator had deployed officers to 10 major gazetted border points and ports.

The development marks a significant shift from 2024, when the regulator had no permanent officers stationed at the country’s points of entry.

Enhanced surveillance, including monitoring of porous sections of the Loitoktok border, has helped disrupt routes previously used by pesticide smugglers.

The figures were presented during engagements between the Senate committee and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in Malindi. The crackdown follows a scientific review by PCPB covering 430 end-use pesticide products.

The review resulted in 77 products being withdrawn from the Kenyan market, while 202 products were restricted for use on various crops and 151 others placed under further review. 

Kagwe said the measures were necessary to ensure Kenya does not become a destination for pesticides rejected by other jurisdictions.

“We should not be a destination for products that have been rejected elsewhere,” the CS said, arguing that harmonised regulations across the region would prevent banned products from simply being diverted to neighbouring markets.

The enforcement drive has now shifted beyond the borders to agrovet shops and other points of sale. Kagwe directed PCPB to intensify nationwide inspections to ensure pesticides on the market are properly registered, genuine, compliant with regulations and within their approved shelf life. 

Expired, counterfeit, smuggled and unauthorised products found on shelves will be removed and offenders prosecuted.