KISUMU, Kenya — Six people were arrested on Thursday evening after authorities uncovered the illegal sale of unlicensed pesticides along Jomo Kenyatta Highway in Kisumu, in a crackdown aimed at protecting public health and the environment.
The suspects, who were operating as street hawkers, were arrested during a joint enforcement operation led by officers from the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB).
Inspectors seized a consignment of pesticides that had not been approved for sale, raising concerns over their safety and origin.
According to PCPB inspector Stephen Pesa, the sale of pesticides outside licensed outlets is illegal and exposes the public to serious health risks.
“Pesticides are hazardous chemicals that must only be sold by licensed dealers and handled by trained personnel,” Pesa said. “When these products are sold on the streets without regulation, they pose a real danger to human health, livestock, and the environment.”
The hawkers were taken by surprise as inspectors moved swiftly along the busy highway, confiscating the illegal products before placing the suspects under arrest.
The seized chemicals are expected to undergo further inspection to determine their contents and potential risks.
Pesa warned traders against engaging in the illegal pesticide trade, noting that enforcement operations will be intensified across Kisumu and other towns.
“We will continue carrying out similar raids to stop the sale of unregistered and counterfeit pesticides,” he said. “Anyone found violating the law will face stern action.”
The Pest Control Products Board has repeatedly cautioned farmers and the public to purchase pesticides only from licensed agro-dealers, warning that fake or improperly handled chemicals can cause crop damage, poisoning, and long-term environmental harm.
