Over 50 pesticide brands face ban in Kenya over safety concerns
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the move is part of efforts to protect Kenyans and promote safer farming solutions.
The government has announced plans to ban more than 50 pesticide brands that are already banned in the countries they come from.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the move is part of efforts to protect Kenyans and promote safer farming solutions.
Speaking in Molo, Nakuru County on Wednesday, Kagwe said the decision followed a report he received from the Pest Control Products Board.
"The Pest Products Control Board have brought to me a list of products, chemical products, that we have been importing from other countries for use to control our pests. They have told me about 50 products that we are going to stop their importation," he said.
"Those products are now going to be made with the pesticides here in Kenya."
Kagwe made the remarks during the launch of the distribution of one million clean pyrethrum planting materials.
The event brought together top government leaders, including Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, and Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha.
He said the government will now focus on promoting local solutions like pyrethrum-based pesticides, which are safer and better for the environment.
"We have agreed this morning with our people in pyrethrum that we are going to call a meeting of all processors in Nairobi at the Ministry so that we can strengthen pyrethrum, both the government as well as private sector," he said.
The Cabinet Secretary unveiled a plan to increase pyrethrum farming across the country from the current 10,000 acres to over 70,000 acres.
He said this would help produce more local pesticides and create jobs for many Kenyans.
"Boosting pyrethrum farming will not only enhance local pesticide production but also create thousands of jobs for Kenyans," he said.
Kagwe told farmers they should focus on local markets instead of exports.
He said Kenya’s own demand would give better returns once the pyrethrum sector is fully revived.
"I want to tell you that your market is here in Kenya, not abroad. We used to plant 70,000 acres of pyrethrum, but we are now planting 10,000 acres. We want to go up to where we were so that we lead globally," he said.
The government says it is ready to work with counties and the private sector to make this plan a success.