In a landmark regulatory shift, Kenya has officially withdrawn 77 pesticide end-use products from the market, imposed tight restrictions on 202 others, and placed 151 more under scientific review, signaling the most aggressive pesticide safety reform in the country’s history.
| Category | Action Taken |
|---|---|
| Withdrawn End-use Products | 77 |
| Restricted Products | 202 (crop use limited) |
| Under Review | 151 (import/use suspended until Dec 2025) |
| Not to be Registered | Products banned globally under MEAs |
| Import Ban | On any unapproved molecule in EU/USA/AU/CA |
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, in collaboration with the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), made the announcement following an exhaustive review of 430 end-use products, using global scientific benchmarks and environmental health standards
Among the 77 withdrawn are products containing high-risk active ingredients such as:
- Acephate (Insecticide)
- Chlorothalonil (Fungicide)
- Diuron (Herbicide)
- Thiacloprid (Insecticide)
These products were flagged for posing unacceptable risks to human health, livestock, and environmental sustainability. The decision is final and non-negotiable.
The Ministry also restricted 202 other products, modifying their application to limit risk. For instance:
- Dimethoate and Chlorpyrifos are now limited to termite control only
- Propineb and Iprodione (fungicides) are prohibited on edible crops
- Imidacloprid and Omethoate are now restricted to non-open fields and non-edible crops, respectively
Such restrictions aim to protect food chains and ecosystems while offering transitional alternatives to farmers.
Another 151 products remain under scientific evaluation, with a final decision expected by December 2025. Until then:
- Their use or importation is prohibited
- Any molecule not approved in the EU, USA, Australia, or Canada will be barred from entry
- PCPs banned under multilateral environmental agreements (e.g., Stockholm, Rotterdam) will not be registered in Kenya
This shift aligns Kenya with international environmental health frameworks and emphasizes precaution over profit.
Kenya has also reaffirmed its ban on some of the most dangerous chemicals ever used in agriculture, including:
- DDT
- Chlordane
- Ethyl Parathion
- Endrin
- 2,4,5-T (Agent Orange component)
This list reflects Kenya’s intention to stay aligned with global pesticide safety conventions and protect its people from long-term toxic exposure.
For farmers: Now is the time to pivot to integrated pest management (IPM) practices, including biological control, safer chemical options, and crop rotation.
For agrodealers and distributors: Ensure compliance with the new PCPB lists to avoid penalties and support farmers with accurate product information.
For the pesticide industry: Reformulate or phase out high-risk products, and invest in R&D that aligns with Kenya’s future-facing policies.
A new Draft Pest Control Products Bill has already been approved by the Cabinet and will soon head to Parliament. It is expected to: strengthen PCP regulation, increase accountability for manufacturers, introduce stricter environmental safety requirements