The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in Kenya has announced regulatory actions affecting the use of certain pesticide products. This follows a comprehensive review of active pesticide ingredients managed by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB). As of June 23, 2025, 430 end-use products were evaluated utilizing scientific data and international regulatory insights.
The review has led to the withdrawal of 77 pesticide products from the market, while restrictions have been imposed on 202 products. Additionally, 151 products are under an ongoing review with a decision anticipated by December 2025. Until then, neither use nor importation of these products will be allowed. According to the Ministry, scientific assessments and stakeholder consultations identified products posing unacceptable risks to human health, the environment, and agricultural practices.
New precautionary measures have been established. There is a requirement for the mandatory registration of all pest control products in their country of origin before they can be registered in Kenya. Products banned under international agreements are prohibited, and molecules under review that are not approved in the European Union, United States, Australia, or Canada will not be imported until further evaluation.
Farmer education and extension services are being offered as support during this transition, with integrated pest management promoted as an alternative to chemical-intensive methods. Changes in product usage include restrictions on 2,4-D Amine for coffee, with its use banned. Abamectin cannot be utilized in open fields, while Chlorpyrifos and Dimethoate are limited to termiticide applications. Imidacloprid is restricted to non-open-field use, and Omethoate should not be used on non-edibles. Fungicides like Propineb and Iprodione are banned from edible crops, and Oxydemeton-methyl importation is paused pending review completion.
In tandem with these measures, the Draft Pest Control Products Bill, designed to strengthen the regulatory framework for pesticide management, has been approved by the Cabinet and is expected to be presented to Parliament. This move aligns with efforts to ensure agricultural practices in Kenya meet international standards and support sustainable pest management. Stakeholders, including farmers, distributors, and regulators, are urged to comply with these new measures.
Source: Farmers Review Africa