Kenya Bans 77 Pesticides, Restricts 202 More in Landmark Safety Reform

Nairobi, June 23, 2025 — In a decisive move to safeguard public health, agriculture, and the environment, the Kenyan government has announced a comprehensive crackdown on toxic pesticides. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe confirmed the withdrawal of 77 pesticide products from the market, the restriction of 202 more, and the ongoing review of an additional 151, marking one of the most sweeping pesticide reforms in the country’s history.

The announcement follows a detailed risk assessment carried out by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), which reviewed 430 pesticide products using scientific evidence, international safety standards, and regulatory decisions from global agencies. The process, which began amid mounting pressure from lawmakers and civil society, is part of Kenya’s broader effort to align domestic pesticide regulations with those of the European Union, United States, Canada, and Australia.

According to CS Kagwe, the banned pesticides posed “unacceptable risks” to human health, livestock, crops, and the ecosystem. He emphasized the importance of preventing “chemical double standards” in Kenya, whereby substances banned in their countries of origin continue to be sold and used locally.

Among the substances now prohibited are some of the world’s most toxic agricultural chemicals, including DDT, chlordane, heptachlor, toxaphene, various hexachlorocyclohexane isomers, ethylene dibromide, and alachlor. These are joined by widely used pesticides such as 2,4‑D amine, chlorpyrifos (now restricted to termite control), abamectin, propineb, iprodione, oxydemeton-methyl, mancozeb, permethrin, ethyl and methyl parathion, carbofuran, aldicarb, endosulfan, lindane, and mercury-based compounds.

Many of these chemicals are known to cause severe health effects including cancer, neurological disorders, endocrine disruption, and acute poisoning. Chlorpyrifos, for instance, has been banned in several Western countries for its links to developmental delays in children, while carbofuran is considered one of the most acutely toxic pesticides globally.

In addition to the bans, Kenya has implemented new requirements for pesticide registration. Products will only be approved if they are already cleared for use in their country of origin and are not banned by leading global regulatory agencies. Imports of products currently under review are suspended, and decisions on their status are expected by December 2025.

The government is also preparing to introduce the Pest Control Products Bill in Parliament, which aims to enhance regulatory oversight, ensure transparency, and reinforce penalties for non-compliance. Authorities say the new law will provide a legal framework to sustain the reforms and promote safer pest control alternatives.

This policy shift comes after growing concern from Members of Parliament, environmental activists, and public health experts who have long decried the prevalence of toxic pesticides in Kenya’s markets. Lawmakers have particularly voiced concerns over the correlation between hazardous pesticide exposure and rising cancer rates in rural areas, where safety gear and training are minimal.

Civil society organizations have applauded the government’s decision as a significant victory. Groups such as the Route to Food Initiative and Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya (BIBA-K) have consistently pushed for the withdrawal of harmful chemicals and advocated for the adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) practices, which use a combination of biological control, crop rotation, and targeted chemical application to reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides.

Despite this progress, the implementation of the ban poses several challenges. Farmers, particularly smallholders, will need guidance and support to transition to safer alternatives. The Ministry of Agriculture has pledged to expand extension services and training programs to help farmers adopt environmentally friendly pest control methods.

The move also places Kenya on a collision course with powerful pesticide lobbies, some of which have previously mounted public relations campaigns and political pressure to prevent similar bans. Investigations by international media have revealed attempts by agrochemical multinationals to influence policy through funding, media manipulation, and targeting local advocates.

Nevertheless, the reform has international backing and reflects a growing trend among developing nations to take a firmer stance on pesticide safety. Countries such as Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and several African states have also taken steps to ban or phase out highly hazardous pesticides in recent years, recognizing their long-term costs to public health and the environment.

Kenya’s decision is expected to set a precedent for the region, particularly as it strives to uphold food safety standards and environmental integrity in the face of climate change, urbanization, and population growth.

Over the next several months, all eyes will be on the implementation of this landmark policy. The effectiveness of the ban will depend on enforcement, transparency, and sustained support to farmers. If successful, it could mark a new chapter in Kenya’s agricultural development — one rooted in safety, sustainability, and global best practices.