The Kenyan government has banned the import of 50 pesticide brands, many of which are already prohibited in their countries of origin, as part of efforts to promote safer and more sustainable farming.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced the ban on 50 pesticides deemed unsuitable for use. Speaking in Nakuru on Wednesday, he stated that while he did not disclose specific brands, he had received a list of the restricted products from the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB).
The CS stated that the government plans to support local pesticide manufacturers in producing safer, domestically made products, particularly those derived from locally grown pyrethrum. The initiative aims to reduce Kenya’s reliance on imported chemicals while ensuring farmers have access to safe and cost-effective pest control solutions.
The decision follows years of advocacy by Gladys Boss Shollei, Uasin Gishu Woman Representative and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, who has been a key proponent of eliminating highly hazardous pesticides from Kenya. She has consistently condemned the Pesticide Control Products Board (PCPB) for permitting the import and sale of products that have pose significant health risks.
The CS stressed that the government, in partnership with county administrations, will provide farmers with essential resources to scale up pyrethrum cultivation from 10,000 to over 70,000 acres, significantly boosting production. Kagwe also highlighted that this initiative would play a vital role in generating employment opportunities within the agricultural sector.
The update comes after a previous assurance from the CS that Kenya is fully prepared to comply with the European Union’s (EU) new regulations intended to eliminate False Codling Moth (FCM) in rose flowers. In a statement on March 25, Kagwe revealed that the EU had rejected 95 Kenyan export consignments and intercepted 48 others—amounting to 2.1 million stems valued at Ksh 147.1 million—due to the presence of FCM.
To prevent further rejections, the CS confirmed that the Pesticide Control Products Board (PCPB) has approved multiple pest control products for managing the infestation, along with additional measures to ensure compliance.
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