Kenya Bans 77 Pesticides, Restricts 202, and Reviews 151 Amid Safety Concerns
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced stringent measures to regulate pest control products (PCPs) in the country, citing public safety and environmental concerns. The Ministry of Agriculture has withdrawn 77 end-use pesticide products from the Kenyan market and restricted the use of 202 others on various crops. Additionally, 151 products are under review by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), with their use and importation banned until a final decision is reached by December 2025.
To strengthen oversight, Kagwe outlined three key regulatory actions:
1. All PCPs seeking registration in Kenya must be registered in their country of origin.
2. Products banned under international multilateral environmental agreements will not be registered for use in Kenya.
3. Importation of any molecule under review that is not approved in the European Union, United States, Australia, or Canada is prohibited until the review process is complete.
The measures aim to protect public health, safeguard the environment, and align Kenya’s pesticide regulations with global standards. The Ministry’s actions follow growing concerns over the safety of certain pesticides and their impact on food security and ecosystems. Farmers and stakeholders are urged to comply with the new regulations as the PCPB continues its review process.
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