- Auditor General Nancy Gathungu’s audit found major failures in Kenya’s pesticide regulation, exposing millions to toxic pesticides.
- The report faulted the Pest Control Products Board for weak enforcement, poor farmer awareness and inadequate border controls.
- The audit warns the gaps threaten public health, food safety and the environment
A performance audit has raised alarm over millions of Kenyans’ exposure to cancerous, banned pesticides through farming and contaminated food. Responsible government agencies’ ignorance has left citizens with no help.
According to the June 2026 performance audit report on regulation of pesticide use in Kenya before Parliament, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu delivers a damning 10 point list of regulatory failures that places the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), a state agency, directly at the centre of a massive national food safety failure.
Regulatory failures
Gathungu noted the importance of pesticide regulation to agricultural transformation and growth. However, she flagged serious gaps in oversight.
“There is limited awareness creation to farmers and agro dealers on proper use and disposal of pesticides and pesticide waste. There is a high risk of improper application of pesticides and unsafe disposal of associated waste by farmers, leading to increased exposure to toxic substances, as well as soil and water contamination,” the audit says.
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On public health, Gathungu said the failure to monitor imports and enforce compliance has allowed toxic pesticides to enter the country freely through the borders. This, she said, endangers both the environment and public health.
“While the broader target is to improve agricultural productivity to guarantee food security, create jobs and increase Kenya’s exports, the potential misuse of pesticides poses significant risks that could undermine achievement of the government’s development agenda,” Gathungu said.
Legal framework
The Pest Control Products Act serves as Kenya’s primary law governing the regulation and use of pesticides. Under the legislation, the PCPB is mandated to oversee all matters related to the registration, distribution and use of pesticides across the country.
Because pesticides play a vital role in boosting agricultural productivity, the Act recognises their importance in protecting crops from pests and diseases. However, it also recognises that these chemicals can pose serious risks to human health, livestock and the environment if misused or handled without proper safety measures.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), pesticides are substances designed to prevent, destroy, repel or control pests. They may also be used to regulate plant growth and protect agricultural produce from damage caused by insects, weeds, fungi and other harmful organisms.
By Bernard Magada
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