NAIROBI, Kenya (PAMACC News) - For decades, Kenya’s smallholder farmers have leaned heavily on synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides to sustain crop yields in the face of erratic weather patterns, invasive pests, and rising food demand. But this reliance has come at a steep cost: depleted soils, contaminated water sources, declining biodiversity, and mounting health concerns for both farmers and consumers.
Now, Kenya is rewriting that story—starting from the ground up.
In 2024, the government launched the National Agroecology Strategy, a landmark policy framework designed to steer the country toward environmentally sustainable, health-conscious, and socially just food systems. At the same time, counties like Murang’a and Vihiga have taken the lead in implementing local agroecology policies aimed at helping farmers transition from chemical-intensive agriculture to nature-based solutions, including the use of bio-products such as organic fertilizers and biopesticides.
Agroecology is more than just organic farming—it is a holistic approach that integrates ecological principles into every part of the food system, from soil health and seed diversity to market access and consumer awareness.
Murang’a and Vihiga have crafted county-specific agroecology policies that incentivize the use of bio-inputs, improve extension services, and promote soil and biodiversity conservation.
In the central highlands, Murang’a County was the first to implement the policy, which paved way to agroecological innovation. The policy sets clear targets: phasing out toxic synthetic inputs, increasing farmer access to organic fertilizers, and promoting the use of biopesticides for the benefit of human health and the environment.
The same is now happening in Vihiga County, in the Western part of the country.
“We’ve already started training our extension officers on the use of bio-products,” says Dr Wilber Ottichilo, the County Governor for Vihiga. “We want to build local knowledge on how beneficial microorganisms, composts, and natural pest repellents can work just as effectively—if not better—than synthetic chemicals.”
The Governor adds that the county is also supporting farmer groups to produce their own organic inputs like fermented bokashi fertilizers, vermi compost and biopesticides using locally available materials. “This not only lowers input costs but also creates new income opportunities,” he says.
The county boss also wants Vihiga residents to diversify their crops, given the small sizes of land owned by individual households.
“Our goal is to reverse the damage caused by years of over-reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, reliance on growing only maize and beans and give farmers alternative nutritious and also income generating indigenous vegetables and food security crops such as sweet potatoes and cassava,” said Dr Ottichilo
One of the campaigns currently in many parts of the country is Healthy Soil, Healthy Food campaign, driven by AFSA to promotes composting, agroforestry, and the use of microbial-based soil enhancers. Through partnerships with NGOs and local cooperatives, farmers are also learning how to prepare and apply organic pest control products.
“After switching from chemical inputs to bio-fertilizers and intercropping with legumes, my maize yields improved without harming the soil,” says Moses Omwenga, a smallholder farmer from Emuhaya. “It’s a new mindset, but the results are real.”
Transitioning to agroecology isn’t just about banning chemicals—it requires infrastructure, research, and community support. Both Murang’a and Vihiga are investing in farmer training programs, establishing community seed banks, and promoting participatory research with local institutions.
They are also collaborating with private-sector players who produce certified bio-products, making it easier for farmers to access safe and affordable alternatives.
“Policy is important, but practice is where transformation happens,” says Ferdinand Wafula, the Founder - Bio Gardening Innovations (BIOGI). “The counties that are succeeding are the ones backing their words with resources, farmer training, and real incentives to go green,” he said.
“For too long, farmers have been trapped in a cycle of buying expensive chemical inputs that damage their soils and health. Agroecology offers a way out—a system that restores the land while reducing production costs and ensuring safer food for our communities,” says Wafula.
Kenya’s agroecology strategy, supported by pioneering county policies, signals a turning point in the country’s agricultural journey—away from chemical dependency and toward a food system that is healthier, more inclusive, and more resilient to climate shocks.
With farmers like Omwenga at the forefront, and with continued political will at national and county levels, Kenya is proving that the future of farming lies not in the laboratory—but in the living soils.
NAIROBI, Kenya (PAMACC News) - For decades, Kenya’s smallholder farmers have leaned heavily on synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides to sustain crop yields in the face of erratic weather patterns, invasive pests, and rising food demand. But this reliance has come at a steep cost: depleted soils, contaminated water sources, declining biodiversity, and mounting health concerns for both farmers and consumers.
Now, Kenya is rewriting that story—starting from the ground up.
In 2024, the government launched the National Agroecology Strategy, a landmark policy framework designed to steer the country toward environmentally sustainable, health-conscious, and socially just food systems. At the same time, counties like Murang’a and Vihiga have taken the lead in implementing local agroecology policies aimed at helping farmers transition from chemical-intensive agriculture to nature-based solutions, including the use of bio-products such as organic fertilizers and biopesticides.
Agroecology is more than just organic farming—it is a holistic approach that integrates ecological principles into every part of the food system, from soil health and seed diversity to market access and consumer awareness.
Murang’a and Vihiga have crafted county-specific agroecology policies that incentivize the use of bio-inputs, improve extension services, and promote soil and biodiversity conservation.
In the central highlands, Murang’a County was the first to implement the policy, which paved way to agroecological innovation. The policy sets clear targets: phasing out toxic synthetic inputs, increasing farmer access to organic fertilizers, and promoting the use of biopesticides for the benefit of human health and the environment.
The same is now happening in Vihiga County, in the Western part of the country.
“We’ve already started training our extension officers on the use of bio-products,” says Dr Wilber Ottichilo, the County Governor for Vihiga. “We want to build local knowledge on how beneficial microorganisms, composts, and natural pest repellents can work just as effectively—if not better—than synthetic chemicals.”
The Governor adds that the county is also supporting farmer groups to produce their own organic inputs like fermented bokashi fertilizers, vermi compost and biopesticides using locally available materials. “This not only lowers input costs but also creates new income opportunities,” he says.
The county boss also wants Vihiga residents to diversify their crops, given the small sizes of land owned by individual households.
“Our goal is to reverse the damage caused by years of over-reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, reliance on growing only maize and beans and give farmers alternative nutritious and also income generating indigenous vegetables and food security crops such as sweet potatoes and cassava,” said Dr Ottichilo
One of the campaigns currently in many parts of the country is Healthy Soil, Healthy Food campaign, driven by AFSA to promotes composting, agroforestry, and the use of microbial-based soil enhancers. Through partnerships with NGOs and local cooperatives, farmers are also learning how to prepare and apply organic pest control products.
“After switching from chemical inputs to bio-fertilizers and intercropping with legumes, my maize yields improved without harming the soil,” says Moses Omwenga, a smallholder farmer from Emuhaya. “It’s a new mindset, but the results are real.”
Transitioning to agroecology isn’t just about banning chemicals—it requires infrastructure, research, and community support. Both Murang’a and Vihiga are investing in farmer training programs, establishing community seed banks, and promoting participatory research with local institutions.
They are also collaborating with private-sector players who produce certified bio-products, making it easier for farmers to access safe and affordable alternatives.
“Policy is important, but practice is where transformation happens,” says Ferdinand Wafula, the Founder - Bio Gardening Innovations (BIOGI). “The counties that are succeeding are the ones backing their words with resources, farmer training, and real incentives to go green,” he said.
“For too long, farmers have been trapped in a cycle of buying expensive chemical inputs that damage their soils and health. Agroecology offers a way out—a system that restores the land while reducing production costs and ensuring safer food for our communities,” says Wafula.
Kenya’s agroecology strategy, supported by pioneering county policies, signals a turning point in the country’s agricultural journey—away from chemical dependency and toward a food system that is healthier, more inclusive, and more resilient to climate shocks.
With farmers like Omwenga at the forefront, and with continued political will at national and county levels, Kenya is proving that the future of farming lies not in the laboratory—but in the living soils.
JUBA, South Sudan (PAMACC News) - For the past four years, Emmanuel Atwin, a smallholder farmer in the outskirts of Juba City, South Sudan, has trusted agrochemicals to boost the productivity of his sukuma wiki (collard greens) farm. With regular use of pesticides and insecticides such as Dudu Acelamectin, Atwin believes the benefits of these chemicals outweigh any potential health risks.
Acelamectin, which is the active ingredient in the Dudu Acelamectin has been banned for use in several nations abroad. Direct exposure to the chemical can cause skin irritation, ranging from redness and itching to more severe reactions like blisters or ulcerated lesions.
"In the beginning, I experienced eye pain and skin itching after spraying," Atwin recalls. "But when I asked the sellers, they told me I would get used to it—and they were right. Seven months later, all the effects disappeared."
According to Moses Makokha, a Kenya based medical practitioner, over time, the body and brain can become less sensitive to certain irritants due to repeated exposure. “This is known as sensory adaptation or desensitization, but it doesn't mean the chemicals are no longer harmful—only that the initial acute symptoms (like irritation) may no longer be felt as strongly,” he said.
“This is similar to how people working in polluted environments (like factories) who might stop noticing the smell or irritation, but long-term effects such as cancer, liver damage, or respiratory issues can still develop silently,” he added.
As well, Atwin might also be experiencing psychological normalization, where harmful effects are downplayed because they become part of everyday life. According to experts, this is common in occupations with chronic exposure to harmful substances—especially when there’s no immediate, visible danger. But the long term impact may be inevitable.
According to the farmer, spraying every four days helps him harvest over five sacks of sukuma wiki for sale. Although he occasionally uses a glove or face mask, especially on windy days, he admits that safety precautions are not a routine practice.
“I’ve never seen anything bad with spraying my farm,” he says confidently, despite admitting to past discomfort and the lack of protective gear.
Agrochemical Sales with No Safety Guidelines
Still in the outskirts of Juba City, Sarah Aio, a sales assistant at Kubi Agro Farm Shop, has been selling pesticides for three years. She says the agrochemicals they stock are imported from Uganda and Kenya, with clearance only required from the South Sudan Bureau of Standards.
“When I started, I felt disturbed by the choking and irritating smell,” Sarah admits. “But after a few months, I got used to it.”
She confirms that the farm shop operates under a renewable certificate, but there are no enforced safety protocols for handling or selling the chemicals.
Hidden Risks in the Market Chain
Despite the increasing popularity of agrochemicals among farmers, concerns are beginning to emerge across the supply chain—from sellers to end consumers.
“We always buy fresh vegetables from these farmers,” says a vegetable trader in Juba. “But we don’t know what chemicals they use or how dangerous they are. Some of our customers complain about skin reactions or changes in the food when cooking.”
A survey done in Nairobi, Kenya, which is the main origin of pesticides used in South Sudan found that much of the sukuma wiki sold in Nairobi is highly contaminated and poses a serious health risk to consumers.
The Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN) and ECOTrac Consulting also sampled three markets in Kirinyaga and four markets in Machakos, and the findings showed that only one sample of vegetables out of 19 showed no pesticide levels at all.
A local consumer in Juba, who buys sukuma wiki regularly, echoes similar fears: “We know the vegetables are sprayed, but we don’t know the health risks. Sometimes the cooking oil changes color and the smell is irritating. We’re calling on the government to create strict regulations and provide awareness through radio.”
Policy Void Fuels Unsafe Practices
Currently, South Sudan lacks comprehensive regulations and public awareness campaigns on the safe use of agrochemicals. This policy gap has allowed unregulated practices to persist, leaving farmers like Atwin—and unsuspecting consumers—vulnerable to long-term health hazards.
Experts warn that without clear national guidelines, the country risks long-term environmental and health consequences, especially as chemical usage in agriculture continues to rise.
Until such policies are implemented and enforced, the people of Juba remain exposed—to both the benefits and the hidden dangers of agrochemical farming.
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.
