By Nicholas Waitathu
Pest control stakeholder organizations in Kenya are fast tracking the implementation of an inclusive approach on pesticide use on food crops to align with the changing global demands.
The initiative is anchored on evolving dynamics in international food consumption, where some consumers have raised concerns over food products grown with high Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs).
This has prompted both public and private sector authorities in Kenya to craft a comprehensive strategy aimed at streamlining pesticide use to comply with international standards.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), and private sector trade associations including aaK GROW/CropLife Kenya, Kenya Flower Council (KFC), and Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), are working closely on ensuring growers in Kenya adhere to pesticide use standards.
PCPB Chief Executive Officer Fredrick Muchiri says that while Kenya has made significant strides on pesticide use and adherence to global standards, some farmers defy the regulations, leading to market disruptions when their produce fails to meet required standards.
“We have been collaborating with other value chain players to ensure what is grown; harvested and exported is safe. We assure consumers both local and international that we undertake a thorough check system both at border points and airports,” said Muchiri.
Speaking during the three-day GLOBALG.A.P Tourstop 2025 in Nairobi, Muchiri emphasized the need for collaboration among all value chain actors to handle bottlenecks facing the agrochemicals industry.
“We have the capacity to analyse pesticide formulations and undertake residue analysis to determine the types of pest control products used on food commodities,” he said.
The stakeholders are further undertaking behavioural change initiatives targeting small scale farmers on how to use pesticides, reinforcing border and airport inspections, and using technology to empower growers to flag counterfeit pesticides.
aaK GROW/croplife Kenya Chief Executive Officer Eric Kimunguyi highlighted the significant milestones achieved in sensitising farmers on proper pesticides use.
“We have intensified over the years, training, regulations enforcement and public awareness campaigns on the safe use of pesticides. Though we still have some farmers who continue to misuse pest control products primarily due to behavioural challenges. While pesticide labels contain detailed safety instructions, backed by regulations from the PCPB, many farmers continue to ignore them, leading to improper usage, health risks, and environmental damage,” said Kimunguyi.
This has prompted aak-GROW in conjunction with other stakeholders to roll out an innovative grassroots initiative dubbed Stewardship Mashinani, aimed at transforming farmer behaviour through localized, community-based engagement and bridge the gap between knowledge and practice.
The initiative that was piloted in Nakuru County in late 2024, is designed to address persistent safety gaps in the handling and use of pesticides, especially among smallholder farmers who form the backbone of Kenya’s agriculture sector.