Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has announced the immediate withdrawal of 77 pesticide products from the Kenyan market due to serious health and environmental concerns.
In a statement issued on Monday, CS Kagwe explained that the move follows a comprehensive review of pesticides registered for use in Kenya, aimed at ensuring all Pest Control Products (PCPs) meet safety standards for human health, crops, livestock, and the environment.
The review, conducted by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), examined 430 pesticide formulations. The findings revealed that some of these products pose unacceptable risks, prompting the Ministry to take action.
As a result:
- 77 end-use products have been withdrawn entirely from the market.
- 202 products have been restricted to specific uses or crops.
- 151 additional products have been placed under review, with final decisions on their approval expected by December 2025.
Banned Chemicals
Among the banned products are some previously widely used in agriculture, including:
- DDT (Dichlorodiphenyl Trichloroethane) – a once-common agricultural pesticide
- Chlordane – an insecticide
- Ethylene dichloride – used as a fumigant
- Alachlor – a herbicide
Additionally, active ingredients such as acephate, chlorothalonil, pymetrozine, thiachloropid, diuron, POE tallow amine, kasugamycin, and pyridalyl—along with their related products—have been withdrawn from use in Kenya.
New Registration Guidelines
To further enhance regulatory oversight, the Ministry has directed that:
- All pest control products must be registered in their country of origin before being considered for registration in Kenya.
- PCPs banned internationally will not be allowed for use within the country.
- The importation of any molecule under review and not approved in regions such as the European Union, United States, Australia, or Canada will be prohibited until its safety is verified.
Farmers and Distributors Urged to Comply
CS Kagwe called on all farmers, pesticide distributors, and other stakeholders to comply with the new directives to protect public health and safeguard the environment.
“This action is part of our continuous efforts to align Kenya’s agricultural practices with international best standards, ensure food safety for all Kenyans, and promote sustainable agriculture,” he stated.
The decision marks a significant step in Kenya’s broader effort to reform its agricultural sector and prioritize long-term environmental sustainability and consumer safety.
