Biodiversity experts and sustainable agriculture proponents have commended the government’s prohibition on the import and use of over 50 pesticide brands, citing its potential to safeguard public health and ecological integrity.
During a recent inspection of pyrethrum farms in Molo, Nakuru County, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe emphasized that the policy shift is part of a strategic initiative to boost local agrochemical production and revitalize Kenya’s pyrethrum sector as a sustainable pest management solution.
“We are going to stop importing these over 50 products, as they will now be produced here in Kenya. So, your market will not necessarily be abroad. Your market will be right here in Kenya. The government is prioritizing safer, locally-produced alternatives and is reviving the pyrethrum industry as a sustainable solution,” Kagwe stated.
While the ban is framed as an economic measure to enhance domestic production, environmental organizations highlight its critical public health and ecological benefits. Many of the prohibited pesticides contain active ingredients already banned in the European Union (EU) and other jurisdictions due to their association with carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, and severe ecosystem disruption.
The Seeds Savers Network (SSN) Director, Daniel Wanjama welcomed the decision but questioned the prolonged approval of these hazardous substances in Kenya. He noted the irony of European-manufactured agrochemicals being prohibited in their countries of origin yet exported to Kenya, undermining both environmental and market security.
The excessive application of herbicides and synthetic pesticides has been linked to the alarming decline in pollinator populations, particularly bees, which are important for crop pollination. Their depletion poses a direct threat to ecosystem stability, agricultural productivity, and long-term food security.
“African countries, especially Kenya, are losing access to European markets because of chemical residues in their produce, chemicals ironically manufactured in Europe but banned for use there. As a result, what we grow often can’t be exported and ends up being consumed only locally, raising serious health concerns such as cancer,” Wanjama observed.
A 2020 report by the Heinrich Böll Foundation revealed concerning levels of pesticide residues in Kenyan agricultural produce, with up to 60 per cent of sampled crops, including tomatoes and kale, exceeding recommended safety thresholds. This raises significant food safety and public health concerns.
In late March, Kagwe reported that the EU had rejected 95 Kenyan cut rose flower consignments and intercepted an additional 48 shipments, totaling 2.1 million stems, due to False Codling Moth (FCM) infestations, resulting in an estimated loss of Ksh 147.1 million.
Recent interceptions of Kenyan beans, chilies, and herbs revealed traces of hazardous chemicals such as Chlorpyrifos and Triazophos, substances prohibited in Europe due to health risks. The EU’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) has issued multiple warnings, prompting fears of stricter tradeb restrictions if compliance fails.
The EU’s stringent pesticide regulations lead to substantial post-export losses for Kenyan producers. Non-compliant crops face rejection due to chemical residues, while pest infestations compromise quality and yield. This necessitates costly adaptations, including integrated pest management (IPM) and organic alternatives, to maintain market access.
Wanjama attributed the persistent use of hazardous pesticides to weak regulatory frameworks and insufficient farmer education. He emphasized the viability of agroecological practices, including organic herbicide and fertilizer production, as cost-effective and environmentally sound alternatives.
“At Seed Savers Network, we train farmers to make their own organic herbicides and fertilizers. We also advise them to move away from monoculture, as it increases the risk of pest, weed, and disease outbreaks,” he stated, advocating for diversified farming systems.
John Wainaina, an organic farmer from Kikopey, Gilgil, highlighted the benefits of organic seeds, which exhibit greater resistance to pests and diseases, reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. He stressed that organic manure enhances soil health and plant resilience, yielding robust crops without the adverse effects of chemical fertilizers.
Keziah Kuria, a farmer in Kia Molo, Gilgil, recounted the devastating loss of her four-acre maize crop after applying a herbicide purchased from a Nakuru agrovet. The chemical caused total crop failure, resulting in significant financial and temporal losses.
“It’s time the government cracked down on the chemicals being sold in Kenya. Some offer little to no benefit, while others are so harsh they destroy everything on the farm. We need stricter oversight to protect farmers, consumers, and the environment,” she urged.
At the same time, civil society groups and farmers have raised concerns over the lack of clarity on the recent government ban of over 50 harmful pesticides, saying it leaves them in the dark, exposes them to health and legal risks, and could lead to farmers unknowingly continuing to use banned chemicals.
