NAIROBI, Kenya – Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has announced the immediate withdrawal of 77 end-use pesticide products from the Kenyan market following a nationwide review that flagged them as unsafe for human health, crops, livestock, and the environment.
Speaking on Monday, Kagwe said the move follows a detailed evaluation by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) of 430 registered pest control products currently in use across the country.
“This action is part of our continuous efforts to align Kenya’s agricultural practices with international best standards, ensure food safety for all Kenyans, and promote sustainable agriculture,” said Kagwe.
The assessment found dozens of active ingredients and formulations that pose “unacceptable risks”, prompting the ministry to initiate a phased ban and restriction process.
The train has left the station, 77 pesticide products are officially out of the market, 202 are now on a tight leash for crop use, and 151 more are under the microscope by PCPB. No reverse gear on this one… even if you beg the driver! 😌
Among those banned are DDT (Dichlorodiphenyl Trichloroethane) — a long-banned chemical in many countries — as well as chlordane, ethylene dichloride, and alachlor, which have been widely used in Kenyan agriculture despite being considered hazardous by global standards.
Additional active ingredients withdrawn include acephate, chlorothalonil, pymetrozine, thiacloprid, diuron, POE tallow amine, kasugamycin, and pyridalyl along with their related end-use products.
Wider Crackdown and Reforms
Kagwe said 202 other products have been restricted for use on specific crops, while 151 more are under further review by the board, with final decisions expected by December 2025.
To tighten oversight, the Ministry of Agriculture has directed that any pesticide product registered in Kenya must also be approved in its country of origin.
Additionally, the importation of any molecule not approved in the EU, USA, Australia, or Canada will be prohibited until full review is completed.
“We are sending a clear message — only products that meet international safety benchmarks will be allowed in our market,” Kagwe emphasized.
“We have taken decisive regulatory action to withdraw 77 end-use products from the Kenyan market and to restrict the use of 202 products on various crops. A further 151 products are under review by the @PCPB_Kenya, with a decision on their approval expected by December 2025.
Compliance and Farmer Advisory
The ministry has called on farmers, agrochemical dealers, and distributors to comply with the new guidelines, warning that continued use or distribution of banned products could attract penalties.
The directive is part of a broader push to enhance food safety, protect biodiversity, and reduce chemical contamination of soils and water sources as Kenya seeks to modernize its agricultural systems and align them with sustainable farming goals.
