Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has assured the nation that the government is committed to ensuring all pesticides used in Kenya comply with safety standards and do not pose health risks to citizens.
He underscored the importance of regulating pesticide imports and usage to protect the people of Kenya.
Kagwe’s comments come amid growing concerns about the presence of highly hazardous pesticides in the Kenyan market, many of which are banned in other countries, including those in the European Union.
“My rule is this: whether GMO, pesticide, or fertiliser, if that product is not being used in its country of origin, it will not be used in Kenya,” he stated.
“I am aware of the case of Roundup and the debate surrounding it, Mr Chairman. In fact, there was a recent ruling in Australia related to this issue,” he added, responding to questions from Members of Parliament about the safety of pesticides currently in circulation in Kenya.
There has been considerable uproar over the past few years, with studies from Kenyan institutions indicating that a significant portion of pesticides used in the country are harmful and could contribute to illnesses such as cancer and other non-communicable diseases.
Kagwe, who was sworn into office on Friday, sought to alleviate these concerns by assuring Kenyans that banned substances will not enter the country.
“I will sit with my scientists, and decisions will be made based on science and data. No product will be sold in this country under my watch at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock that is going to be a product being tested here. We will not be used by anybody as Guinea pigs,” he stated.
Kagwe also confirmed that he has information about some companies whose products are listed as harmful and that rebrand these products for easier access to markets abroad, including Kenya. He vowed that even these products will be vetted and barred from entering the country.
“I am aware that some organizations overseas are rebranding their products so they can be sold here. Instead of coming as the main product that has been banned abroad, they present themselves as another product to gain entry. I assure you that we will be as vigilant as possible to protect our farmers and the private sector,” he pledged.
Last year, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Gladys Boss Shollei claimed that highly hazardous pesticides are being distributed to farmers in the country, contributing to rising cancer cases in Kenya.
Shollei protested that the same products being shipped to Kenya and sold to unsuspecting farmers have long been banned by Western countries, questioning why authorities in Kenya are still reluctant to remove them from the shelves despite the known harm they cause.
“The issue of pesticides is a big problem in the country. It is known by all levels of government. A document called “The Pesticide Atlas” that was developed by 20 scientists from The University of Nairobi confirmed that 267 pesticides that are banned in Europe and America are in use in Kenya,” she stated on the floor of the house.