Framework aims to strengthen food safety, laboratory capacity and market access for Kenyan agricultural produce
Kenya has launched the National Pesticide Residue Monitoring Framework (NPRMF), a coordinated initiative aimed at strengthening food safety, consumer protection and the competitiveness of the country’s agricultural produce. The framework was launched on October 15, 2026, following an extensive development process involving government agencies, development partners, research institutions and other key stakeholders.
It establishes a coordinated approach to monitoring pesticide residues in food, with a focus on strengthening laboratory capacity, enhancing joint risk management, improving surveillance and enforcement, and promoting compliance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). The initiative is expected to support the collection and sharing of pesticide residue data to inform regulatory action, guide decision-making and strengthen collaboration among institutions responsible for food safety.
It will also help identify priority pesticides and food commodities for monitoring, taking into account consumption patterns, production practices and market access requirements. For Kenya, the framework represents an important step towards safeguarding public health, building consumer confidence in the safety of locally produced food and supporting the competitiveness of Kenyan agricultural produce in both domestic and international markets.
Coordinated action to strengthen food safety
Speaking at the launch, the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) Chief Executive Officer Mr. Fredrick N. Muchiri,emphasised that the event marked the beginning of the framework’s implementation journey. The CEO noted that the real work would lie in translating the framework into coordinated action among the institutions involved.
The framework is also expected to support the sharing of pesticide residue data with relevant regulators, enabling timely and informed interventions where necessary. Its successful implementation will depend on sustained collaboration, effective data sharing, strengthened laboratory systems and the collective commitment of stakeholders to ensuring safer food.
Supporting compliance and market competitiveness
The NPRMF places emphasis on monitoring pesticide residues and promoting compliance with GAP and MRL requirements. By strengthening surveillance, laboratory capacity and coordination among food safety institutions, the framework is intended to support regulatory decision-making and improve confidence in Kenya’s food systems. The initiative also has implications for agricultural market access, as compliance with pesticide residue requirements is an important consideration in both domestic and international trade.
The launch sets the stage for implementation, with the effectiveness of the framework expected to depend on how well participating institutions work together to put its monitoring and data-sharing mechanisms into practice.
HortiNews will continue to follow developments in the implementation of the National Pesticide Residue Monitoring Framework and its implications for food safety and agricultural trade.