Government bans 77 pesticides over safety concerns

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe has announced the withdrawal of 77 end-use pesticide products from the Kenyan market over safety concerns.

In a statement on Monday, CS Kagwe said that the move was prompted by a need to review pesticides currently registered in the Kenyan market to ensure that all Pest Control Products (PCPs) are safe for human health and the environment. 

The review conducted by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) saw the examination of 430 products which led to the discovery of products that pose unacceptable risks to human health, crops, livestock, and the environment.

This therefore led to the restriction of the use of 202 products on various crops, as another 151 products have been put under review by the PCPB, with a decision on their approval expected by December 2025. 

Among the products the ministry banned are DDT (Dichlorodiphenyl Trichloroethane), common for agricultural use; chlordane, an insecticide; ethylene dichloride, a fumigant; and alachlor, a herbicide.

Meanwhile, such active ingredients as acephate, chlorothalonil, pymetrozine, thiacloropid, diuron, POE tallow amine, kasugamycin, and pyridalyl and their associated end-use products have been withdrawn from the Kenyan market.

The ministry has also directed that all PCP products considered for registration in Kenya must be registered in their country of origin to safeguard the public.

Likewise, internationally banned PCPs shall not be registered for use in Kenya and the importation of any molecule under review that is not approved in the European Union, the United States of America, Australia, and Canada shall be prohibited until finalization and review. 

Farmers and distributors have been urged to comply with the regulations to ensure safety for Kenyans.

"This action is part of our continuous efforts to align Kenya’s agricultural practices with international best standards, ensure food safety for all Kenyans, and promote sustainable agriculture," Kagwe added.