NAIROBI, Kenya (PAMACC News) - In a landmark move that signals a paradigm shift in the country’s agricultural policy, the Government of Kenya in May 2025 banned 77 highly hazardous pesticide (HHP) products and restricted the use of 202 others, citing serious concerns over public health, food safety, and environmental sustainability.

This decision follows years of persistent pressure from civil society organizations and a comprehensive scientific review by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

The withdrawal and restriction of these pesticides marks one of the most significant regulatory actions in Kenya’s agricultural history. It also represents a victory for environmental and health advocacy groups that have long campaigned against the widespread use of chemicals known to be harmful to both humans and ecosystems.

The PCPB, Kenya’s pesticide regulatory agency, conducted a rigorous review of 430 pesticide end-use products, drawing upon toxicological data provided by manufacturers and cross-referencing with regulatory actions taken by authorities in the European Union, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Among the 77 banned products are those containing active ingredients such as Acephate, Chlorothalonil, Diuron, and Thiacloprid—substances linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, reproductive harm, and the decimation of pollinator populations. These products were deemed to pose “unacceptable risks” to human health, animals, and the environment.

A further 202 pesticides will remain on the market but will now be subject to stringent use restrictions. For example, 2,4-D Amine, a herbicide, is now prohibited for use on coffee crops, while Abamectin, an insecticide and miticide, may no longer be applied in open fields. Other chemicals, including Imidacloprid, Omethoate, and Propineb, have been significantly limited in their application—particularly on food crops.

Another 151 pesticide products are still under review and have been placed under a temporary moratorium. They may not be imported, distributed, or applied until final decisions are made by the end of 2025.

The sweeping regulatory changes did not emerge in a vacuum. They are, in large part, a result of persistent and coordinated efforts by Kenyan civil society organizations, scientists, and environmental campaigners who have been calling out the dangers of HHPs for years.

Coalitions such as the Route to Food Initiative, Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN), and Pesticide Action Nexus (PAN) Africa have conducted community awareness campaigns, published research reports, and presented petitions to the National Assembly, drawing attention to the continued use of chemicals banned in other countries.

In 2019, a petition tabled before Parliament by civil society groups documented how more than 30 pesticide active ingredients in use in Kenya had been banned or severely restricted in Europe due to proven health and ecological risks. Public hearings and forums ensued, fueling media attention and political pressure.

“This is a people’s victory,” said Anne Maina, the National Coordinator of the Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya (BIBA). “We’ve been fighting for a system that puts the health of Kenyans before the profits of agrochemical corporations. This ban is a strong message that our voices are being heard.”

To reinforce these regulatory changes, the Cabinet has also approved a new Pest Control Products Bill, which is expected to be tabled in Parliament in the coming months. The bill proposes key reforms, including a requirement that all pesticides registered in Kenya must also be registered in their country of origin, and prohibition of products banned under international environmental agreements such as the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions.

The bill further seeks to put a bar on the importation and use of pesticide molecules not approved by major regulatory bodies in the EU, USA, Canada, or Australia while they are under review.

The proposed law aims to close existing loopholes that have allowed Kenya to serve as a dumping ground for agrochemical products banned elsewhere.

Acknowledging the potential impact of the ban on farmers who have relied on these chemicals for pest and disease control, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe reassured stakeholders that the government would invest in extension services and promote alternative methods.

“We are not leaving farmers behind,” Kagwe stated. “We will walk with them to ensure productivity and sustainability go hand in hand.”

He encouraged farmers to adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, agroecology, and other nature-based solutions that minimize harm to human and environmental health while maintaining agricultural productivity.

Kenya now joins a growing number of countries shifting away from toxic chemical inputs in food production and toward greener agricultural practices. Advocates say the decision paves the way for a more resilient, equitable, and health-conscious food system.

Already, Kenyan farmers and organizations are experimenting with biopesticides, organic solutions, and crop diversification techniques that naturally reduce pest pressure without endangering people or pollinators.

The regulatory overhaul sends a clear message to agrochemical companies and the global pesticide industry that Kenya will no longer tolerate double standards when it comes to the safety of its people and environment.

“This is a bold and necessary step,” said Kagwe. “Kenya will not be a dumping ground for hazardous products banned elsewhere. We are charting our own path—one that is healthier, safer, and more sustainable.”

As the December 2025 deadline approaches for the review of remaining pesticides, civil society groups remain vigilant. They are now calling for full transparency in the process, and for long-term investment in alternatives that protect both farmers' livelihoods and Kenya’s rich biodiversity.