(Nakuru) – The Nakuru County Government has launched efforts to cut pesticide use by half and ban hazardous chemicals by 2030, aiming to boost public health, food safety, and environmental sustainability.
Nakuru’s County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Leonard Bor, announced the initiative during a public awareness campaign in Njoro and Molo sub-counties. The campaign, organized in partnership with the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), targeted over 3,000 farmers and promoted Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.
IPM combines biological, cultural, and mechanical pest control methods while minimizing chemical pesticide use. Mr. Bor emphasized that excessive reliance on harmful pesticides threatens biodiversity, kills beneficial insects, and compromises food safety.
The initiative is part of the county’s broader program, “Ukulima True,” which raises awareness about environmentally friendly farming practices. This program, supported by the Centre for Behaviour Change and Communication (CBCC), has trained smallholder farmers in Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). These methods help reduce pesticide use while maintaining healthy crops and safe food production.
| Key Goals of Nakuru’s Pesticide Initiative | Details |
|---|---|
| Reduction of Pesticide Use | 50% reduction by 2030. |
| Ban on Hazardous Pesticides | Eliminate pesticides harmful to human health and biodiversity. |
| Promotion of Alternatives | Encourage IPM and bio-control solutions. |
| Farmer Training | Teach safer, sustainable farming techniques. |
Governor Susan Kihika’s administration is aligning Nakuru’s food production systems with national and international standards, such as the World Trade Organization’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Protocol. The goal is to ensure food safety without disrupting trade.
Mr. Bor called for stricter regulation and monitoring of agrochemical companies, urging transparency and accountability in their operations. He also proposed enhanced surveillance at ports, airports, and border posts to prevent smuggling of banned pesticides into the country.
Records from the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) reveal that Kenya has already banned 43 pesticide products and restricted five others. Despite these measures, the use of toxic pesticides remains widespread. Recent reports indicate that pesticides classified as Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) constitute 76% of the total pesticide volume in Kenya.
A 2022 report by the Heinrich Boell Foundation’s Pesticide Atlas detailed the significant risks posed by Kenya’s most commonly used pesticides, which are often banned in other parts of the world. Similarly, the 2023 report “Toxic Business: Highly Hazardous Pesticides in Kenya” revealed that farmers applied over 3,000 metric tons of pesticides containing 151 active ingredients.
These findings underscore the urgent need for safer alternatives, particularly as Kenya’s pesticide market continues to grow. Between 1999 and 2022, pesticide use in Africa increased by 70%, with Kenya importing twice the volume of pesticides between 2015 and 2018.
Experts caution that many Kenyan farmers rely on agrovets, rather than trained agricultural officers, for pest control advice. This has led to the proliferation of harmful pesticides, particularly in crops like tomatoes, which are often exposed to unsafe levels of chemicals.
Pesticide misuse has dire consequences. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that three million people globally are poisoned annually by pesticides, with 200,000 deaths. In Kenya, pesticide poisoning cases reach approximately 350,000 each year.
Mr. Bor reiterated the need for collective efforts from national and county governments, researchers, and other stakeholders to address the challenges posed by pests, diseases, and weeds. He emphasized the importance of research, education, and alternative pest control methods to safeguard human health and the environment.