Members of Parliament have expressed anger at the State Department for Agriculture and the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) for delaying the withdrawal of harmful pesticides from the Kenyan market.
Speaking on Tuesday, April 8, during a session with Agriculture Principal Secretary Kiprono Rono and PCPB CEO Fredrick Muchiri, lawmakers from the National Assembly’s Committee on Implementation said the delay shows the government is putting profits ahead of public health.
The MPs were reacting to a 2019 House resolution, following a petition by Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss, that called for the banning of 267 pesticides suspected to be harmful. The Committee is reviewing the issue again due to rising cancer cases linked to the use of these chemicals.
In the meeting, which included officials from the Agriculture and Health ministries, the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), and the Agrochemicals Association of Kenya, MPs demanded urgent action.
“We have waited since 2019. Why are these dangerous products still being sold?” asked Deputy Speaker Boss, adding that many of the pesticides had already been banned in countries such as the U.S. and in Europe.
She warned that the government could face legal action similar to a case in the U.S., where farmers received Sh33 billion each in compensation after pesticide exposure caused cancer.
Kajiado Central MP Memusi Kanchory and Kipkelion East MP Hillary Koskey pushed for an immediate ban. They questioned whether PCPB had done any safety checks in agrovet shops and dismissed claims that earlier research had been faulty.
“We’re not asking for more reports. People are dying. Cancer cases have been rising sharply since 2015. This is about saving lives,” said Koskey.
Memusi added: “The Board is protecting pesticide sellers while Kenyans are suffering. This is not about politics, it’s about health and safety.”
Other lawmakers, including Zamzam Mohammed (Mombasa), Stanley Muthama (Lamu West), and Kitilai ole Ntutu (Narok South), also demanded urgent action to protect Kenyans from harmful chemicals in their food.
Committee Chair Raphael Wanjala said the Committee would not tolerate delays. “We don’t know how our food is grown. These harmful pesticides are a threat to all of us. The House resolution must be implemented.”
In response, PS Rono admitted the delay and requested more time to resolve the issue and release an official statement.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
