Farmer groups, activists push for disclosure of 50 banned pesticides

Civil society groups and farmers' rights organisations are pressing the government to publicly disclose the names of 50 pesticide products slated for a ban following an announcement by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.

Earlier this month, Mr Kagwe announced that the government will ban more than 50 pesticide brands prohibited in their countries of origin with an aim to promote safer, locally produced alternatives.

However, the specific list of targeted products is yet to be made public.

At a press briefing in Nairobi, the organisations welcomed the announcement but urged the Ministry of Agriculture to act transparently and publish the list.

Also read: Why your potato meal could contain toxic pesticides

“We are hopeful that the list of 50 pesticide products targeted by the ban will be made public and will include the highly hazardous and widely used active ingredients long identified as a priority for regulatory action. These pesticides are extensively applied across Kenya’s staple and export crops and are linked to serious health and environmental risks,” said Eustaus Kiaire, executive director, Kenya Organic Agriculture Network.

The organisations said highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) in use include Mancozeb, Paraquat, Glyphosate, Carbendazim, and several synthetic pyrethroids such as Lambda-cyhalothrin, Cypermethrin, and Deltamethrin.

Mr Kiarie added that for years, civil society, researchers, farmers, and public health advocates have been deeply engaged in advocating for the phase-out of HHPs in Kenya.

He noted that through rigorous research and evidence generation, they have consistently highlighted the acute and chronic risks these pesticides pose to farmers, consumers, pollinators, and aquatic ecosystems.

Anne Maina, the national coordinator of the Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya, acknowledged that that the ban was a crucial step toward a safer and more sustainable food system.

She, however, raised concern that several products previously marked for phase-out and due to be withdrawn from the market by December 31, 2024, are still in circulation.

“The continued presence and sale of these hazardous products undermines human health and environmental safety; and erodes public confidence in regulatory enforcement mechanisms. It is essential that past withdrawal deadlines are respected and that previously identified hazardous pesticides are entirely removed from the market to ensure regulatory integrity,” she noted.

The coalition urged the ministry to prioritise banning pesticides that are both highly toxic and widely used, based on risk assessments, international standards, and local exposure data.

Recognising that some farmers still rely on these harmful chemicals, the civil society organisations also recommended a phased withdrawal strategy coupled with strong support for safer and sustainable alternatives such as Integrated Pest Management, biopesticides, and agroecological practices.

Reforms

In support of strengthening pesticide regulation, Dr Harun Warui, programme lead at the Route to Food Initiative, called for reforms and emphasised the need for an independent, science-driven oversight mechanism.

“We propose the establishment of an Independent Expert Advisory Panel to provide objective, evidence-based recommendations to the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) or any future regulatory authority. Such a panel would reduce conflicts of interest and ensure that regulatory decisions prioritise public and environmental health,” he said.

Dr Warui further recommended increased funding and institutional support for the PCPB to enhance its regulatory and enforcement capacity.

“We welcome the Cabinet’s recent approval of a bill to transform PCPB into a full-fledged regulatory authority. We hope this reform will address the governance, budgetary, and operational challenges that have undermined its effectiveness,” he stated.

Additional reporting by Richard Maosi