- Kenya steps up border checks to keep banned and unsafe pesticides out of the market
- Government pushes for harmonised pesticide rules across East Africa and COMESA
- Illegal pesticide entry has reportedly dropped sharply following tighter surveillance at key borders
Kenya is tightening controls on pesticide imports in a move aimed at keeping chemicals that have been prohibited in other countries out of the local market.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe said the government would strengthen checks at the country’s entry points to prevent the importation and circulation of pesticides that fail to meet safety and regulatory requirements.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the health and environmental risks associated with the use of hazardous agricultural chemicals.
Kagwe said Kenya should not be used as a market for pesticides that have already been rejected elsewhere, calling for stronger coordination among countries in the region.
Kagwe also pushed for harmonised pesticide regulations within the East African Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), arguing that common standards would help prevent banned products from being redirected to neighbouring markets.
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The government is also reporting progress in its efforts to curb the illegal entry of pesticides. Fredrick Muchiri, chief executive of the Pest Control Products Board, said the volume of unauthorised and smuggled pesticides entering Kenya had fallen by about 95 per cent.
Muchiri attributed the decline to increased surveillance and the deployment of regulatory officers at major points of entry. Officials have been stationed at 10 gazetted border points and entry ports as part of efforts to identify and stop illegal consignments before they enter the country.
The intensified checks are expected to further restrict routes previously used to bring unapproved pesticides into Kenya and strengthen enforcement of regulations governing agricultural chemicals.
By Jonathan Mwinzi
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