By Gidion Ngenoh
Nairobi, Kenya – June 24, 2025: Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has raised the alarm over the continued use of harmful chemicals in Kenyan farming, declaring a new wave of reforms aimed at protecting people, animals, crops, and the environment.
Speaking during a press briefing with pesticide manufacturers and distributors, CS Kagwe stated that some pest control products (PCPs) currently in circulation contain chemicals that have been proven to pose serious health and environmental risks. As a result, the Ministry of Agriculture will enforce strict new guidelines to ensure only internationally approved and registered chemicals are used in Kenya.
“Let us not kid ourselves. Let’s not bury our heads in the sand like the proverbial ostriches. Let’s be aware. It’s real. And you have it right in front of you,” Kagwe said in his candid address to industry stakeholders.
Under the new directive, no pesticide will be allowed for use in Kenya unless it is approved and registered in the country of origin. Moreover, any chemical that has been banned under major international environmental agreements will be automatically disqualified for local use.
A specific example mentioned by CS Kagwe is the herbicide 2,4-diamine, which has been widely used by coffee farmers. The chemical has now been restricted due to its adverse effects and will no longer be permitted in Kenya.
Additionally, if a pesticide is under review or disallowed in major markets such as the European Union, the United States, Australia, or Canada, it will be barred from entry into Kenya until conclusive safety data is available.
“You can expect those determined to produce the pesticides that you don’t want to fight back. And if you fight back as severe guerrillas, they will fight back through the media, ensuring that the media is reporting good things and fighting back on dangerous chemicals that we want to ban,” Kagwe warned.
He also cautioned that resistance may come from within Kenya’s political system, alleging that some companies may attempt to bribe Members of Parliament to influence decisions.
Despite this anticipated pushback, the CS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safe, responsible agriculture, stating that these reforms are part of a broader strategy to align Kenya with global farming standards and safeguard future generations.
“We want our farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices that meet international benchmarks. It’s about protecting our people, our food supply, and our environment,” he said.
The Ministry of Agriculture will continue to review and update Kenya’s agricultural laws and pesticide regulations in line with the latest scientific findings and international developments in the sector.
This move is expected to shake up the agrochemical industry while positioning Kenya as a leader in environmentally responsible farming in Africa.
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