NAIROBI, Kenya — Pressure is mounting on the government to urgently ban a range of farm chemicals alleged to be linked to rising cancer cases in Kenya, amid renewed claims that authorities are failing to protect public health despite international prohibitions on the same products.
Lawyer and political activist Ndegwa Njiru has accused the government of acting “as an agent of death” by allowing the continued sale and use of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) that have been banned in parts of Europe and North America.
“These are highly toxic chemicals. They were banned in Europe and America, yet they remain in circulation in Kenya,” Njiru said in a statement. “They are contributing to over 80pc of all cancer cases in the country. Kenyans say no to these death traps.”
Among the pesticides singled out are Mancozeb, Paraquat, Glyphosate and Carbendazim, as well as synthetic pyrethroids such as Lambda-cyhalothrin, Cypermethrin and Deltamethrin. Njiru argued that the continued availability of the products undermines human health, environmental safety and public confidence in regulatory agencies.
He urged the Ministry of Agriculture to impose an immediate ban and tighten controls on agrochemical imports, warning that failure to act places millions of Kenyans at risk through contaminated food and environmental exposure.
The claims come amid broader national concern over the country’s growing cancer burden. According to data from the Ministry of Health and the Kenya National Cancer Registry, cancer is among the leading causes of death in Kenya, with thousands of new cases diagnosed annually.
Public health experts have long warned that late diagnosis, limited treatment facilities and environmental risk factors continue to strain the health system.
Njiru also challenged President William Ruto’s development narrative, calling on the government to prioritise healthcare reforms before pursuing ambitious global comparisons.
“Before taking us to an illusionary Singapore, first declare cancer a national disaster,” he said, calling for the establishment of a national cancer fund, separate financing for cancer treatment outside the Social Health Authority (SHA), and the creation of screening and treatment centres in all counties.
He further proposed mandatory annual cancer screening for all Kenyans and a comprehensive national cancer eradication policy focused on prevention, early detection and environmental safeguards.
Agricultural and health regulators have previously maintained that pesticide approvals in Kenya follow scientific risk assessments and international guidelines, although consumer groups and environmental advocates have questioned enforcement and post-registration monitoring.
The Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), which regulates agrochemicals, has in the past said restrictions are reviewed based on emerging scientific evidence and local use conditions.
However, civil society organisations have repeatedly raised concerns that Kenya has become a dumping ground for chemicals restricted elsewhere, citing weak enforcement and aggressive marketing to small-scale farmers.
Food safety experts say the debate highlights the tension between agricultural productivity and public health protection. “There is a legitimate need to protect crops, but it must not come at the expense of long-term health outcomes,” said one public health analyst, noting that safer alternatives and integrated pest management approaches exist but require investment and farmer education.
The government has yet to issue a formal response to the latest calls. As scrutiny intensifies, pressure is growing for clearer policy direction on hazardous pesticides, food safety standards and the country’s cancer response strategy.
