The State Department of Agriculture and the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) are under fire for allowing over 200 pesticide products in the Kenyan market, despite their ban in developed countries due to health risks.
Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Implementation, Agriculture Principal Secretary Kiprono Rono and PCPB Managing Director Fredrick Muchiri were grilled by lawmakers over their failure to implement a 2019 House Resolution that directed the withdrawal of 267 harmful pesticide products.
The resolution followed a successful petition by Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei, who argued that the products had been banned in their countries of origin because of links to cancer and other health complications.
Legislators expressed outrage, accusing the ministry and the board of prioritizing the interests of agrochemical companies at the expense of public health.“We passed a resolution to protect Kenyans, but what we are witnessing is a complete disregard for that directive. How can we continue exposing our people to products deemed unsafe elsewhere?” questioned one of the MPs during the heated session.
The lawmakers linked the continued presence of these pesticides in the market to the rising cases of cancer in the country, demanding immediate action from the relevant authorities.
However, PCPB boss Fredrick Muchiri defended the agency, maintaining that all pesticides in circulation have undergone proper safety assessments and meet regulatory standards. “There are no harmful chemicals in the market. All products have been evaluated and approved in line with our laws,” Muchiri told the committee.
The standoff highlights growing concerns over chemical safety regulations in Kenya, with MPs vowing to push for stricter enforcement and accountability from relevant government agencies.
The Committee on Implementation is expected to table its recommendations in Parliament in the coming weeks, potentially paving the way for fresh action on banned pesticide products.
