CS Kagwe Announces Over 50 Dangerous Pesticide Brands
Mutahi Kagwe, the Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary, has indicated that the government will ban more than 50 pesticide brands, notably those that are outlawed in their home nations.
Speaking in Molo, Nakuru County, Kagwe stated that he had received a brief on the items from the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), which prompted the decision to enforce the ban.
“The Pest Products Control Board have brought to me a list of products, chemical products, that we have been importing from other countries for use to control our pests,” he said.
“They have told me about 50 products that we are going to stop their importation. Those products are now going to be made with the pesticides here in Kenya.”
Kagwe made the remarks during the official start of the distribution of one million clean pyrethrum planting materials.
GOVERNMENT BANS OVER 50 HARMFUL PESTICIDE BRANDS, EYES PYRETHRUM EXPANSION
— Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock Development (@kilimoKE) May 7, 2025
CS Sen @Mutahi__Kagwe, has announced a ban on more than 50 pesticide brands, particularly those prohibited in their countries of origin. pic.twitter.com/PTS0kecqNa
Key figures attended the occasion, including the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, and Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha.
He emphasized the government’s determination to promote safer, domestically produced alternatives.
He urged collaboration among the government, private sector, and county governments to increase pyrethrum farming in the country.
CS @Mutahi__Kagwe ban on the importation of 50 pesticide products.#BETAKilimo #MkulimaKwanza pic.twitter.com/lxx9NPEqxY
— Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock Development (@kilimoKE) May 7, 2025
“We have agreed this morning with our people in pyrethrum that we are going to call a meeting of all processors in Nairobi at the Ministry so that we can strengthen pyrethrum, both the government as well as the private sector,” he said.
As part of this initiative, he announced an ambitious goal to increase pyrethrum farming from the existing 10,000 acres to more than 70,000 acres statewide.
READ MORE:
- 3 Suspected Abductors Arrested, Detained In Murang’a
- Gov’t To Close Down Kameme, 23 Stations For Violating New Regulations
- Cheluget Family Confirms Being In Talks With Gov’t Over Disputed Land
- ‘I am Not A UDA Project!’ – MP Salasya Says
- Sakaja’s Nairobi County Evicts Woodley Tenants Over Unpaid Arrears
“Boosting pyrethrum farming will not only enhance local pesticide production but also create thousands of jobs for Kenyans,” he said.
He reassured farmers that they have local markets that can provide good returns and that exporting would no longer be their best option once the sector is streamlined.
“I want to tell you that your market is here in Kenya, not abroad,” he said.
“We used to plant 70,000 acres of pyrethrum, but we are now planting 10,000 acres. We want to go up to where we were so that we lead globally.”
CS Kagwe Announces Over 50 Dangerous Pesticide Brands
