The Route to Food Initiative (RTFI), alongside a coalition of civil society organisations, has praised the Kenyan government’s decision to ban more than 50 pesticide products classified as Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs), calling it a major victory for public health, environmental protection, and sustainable agriculture.
During a joint press briefing held today, RTFI and its partners lauded the government’s commitment, describing the ban as a critical step toward aligning Kenya’s agricultural policies with global safety standards, particularly those outlined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
“If fully implemented, this move could mark a turning point in Kenya’s pursuit of a safer, toxic-free food system,” the group stated. “We urge the government to back this decision with stronger regulatory oversight and farmer-driven alternatives that ensure a just and sustainable transition.”
The coalition highlighted the urgent need for enforcement and transparency, urging authorities to publish the full list of banned pesticides and ensure that substances with the most significant risks to human health and ecosystems are included.
Among the chemical agents named were Mancozeb, Paraquat, Glyphosate, Carbendazim, and several synthetic pyrethroids such as Lambda-cyhalothrin, Cypermethrin, and Deltamethrin. These compounds are widely used across Kenya’s food systems, especially in staple crops and export-oriented agriculture, and have long been associated with acute and long-term health risks as well as damage to biodiversity.
The announcement coincides with the recent enactment of the Business Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024, which introduces provisions to address regulatory double standards. The legislation targets the continued importation of substances banned or restricted in their countries of origin, bolstering legal grounds for enforcing the pesticide ban within Kenyan borders.
“The passage of this Act sends a strong message: Kenya will no longer be a dumping ground for chemicals that are deemed unsafe elsewhere,” the group stated.
The civil society coalition has also proposed the creation of a multidisciplinary advisory panel to guide pesticide regulation going forward. This independent body would include toxicologists, agronomists, ecotoxicologists, public health professionals, farmer representatives, and civil society actors tasked with reviewing chemical data, assessing risks, and offering evidence-based recommendations.
Additionally, the group called for greater stakeholder engagement in regulatory processes, urging the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) or its successor body to implement inclusive, transparent mechanisms for consultation and public information sharing.
In their address, the group welcomed the Cabinet’s recent approval of a bill to transform the PCPB into a fully-fledged regulatory authority. They expressed optimism that the proposed restructuring would close governance and operational gaps that have hampered the board’s effectiveness for years.
They further recommended that the National Assembly, the National Treasury, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development allocate sufficient resources and oversight to strengthen institutional capacities in line with recommendations outlined in the Departmental Committee on Health’s 2019 public petition report.
As Kenya takes this significant step toward safer food production and environmental stewardship, campaigners have stressed the importance of accountability, science-based decision-making, and continued dialogue between policymakers, regulators, and the communities most affected by pesticide use.
