Alliance building amongst civil society actors and citizen initiatives is an important approach to addressing some of the socio-economic, political, and ecological challenges facing Kenyans. Within the global food sovereignty movement, alliances such as La Via Campesina , have demonstrated that bringing together different actors to address a particular issue is a powerful approach to bringing about change.
The Route to Food Initiative (RTFI), inspired by the potential of collective action, has invested in the formation of the Route to Food Alliance. Since 2016, the Alliance has made achievements in highlighting issues to do with food insecurity, unequal power-relations, and the protection of farmer and consumer rights. It has also promoted a rights-based approach to hunger and champions agroecology as a political, social and farm-level response to chronic food insecurity. The Alliance has grown to more than one thousand members from all corners of Kenya. These members have actively participated in various initiatives and activities organized by the Alliance over the years, further cementing its impact and influence.
In a significant development, the Route to Food Alliance recently organized its first annual meeting, bringing together members from different regions of the country. The event was graced by the eminent Prof. Michael Fakhri, the Right to Food Special Rapporteur, who shared invaluable insights as the keynote speaker. This event marked a significant step in the Alliance's journey, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among its diverse members.
We acknowledge the recent joint press release by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), aak/GROW and Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPC Kenya) addressing concerns regarding pesticide safety and usage in Kenya. While it is essential to recognize the PCPB's commitment to ensuring pesticide safety, crucial aspects warrant further discussion and clarification.
Assessment Criteria: We appreciate the PCPB's efforts to align with international standards and regulations. However, we also see the need to follow a hazard assessment for registering very toxic pesticides (WHO 1a, WHO 1b, and so-called CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic and reproduction toxic pesticides)). These hazard assessments focus on the inherent properties of pesticides, regardless of their use patterns. It is essential to strike a balance between risk and hazard assessments to ensure comprehensive safety, as many of the Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHP) mentioned in the recently launched report Toxic Business: Highly Hazardous Pesticides in Kenya are very toxic, for example, beta-cyfluthrin.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): We agree that the responsible use and handling of pesticides are essential. However, we must acknowledge that the responsibility for safe pesticide use is beyond the farmers' ability. Required mitigation measures like buffer zones to safeguard communities or water resources often can't be implemented. Beyond the responsibility of the farmer, pesticide companies should also play an essential role in ensuring the safe use, disposal and handling of their products through extended producer responsibility (EPR). EPR is now mandatory in Kenya, highlighting the shared responsibility among manufacturers, farmers and regulators to guarantee safe pesticide usage.
Right to Food: We fully acknowledge the importance of balanced pesticide use in securing food production within current agricultural systems. However, we emphasize the need for a balanced approach that ensures food security while minimizing health and environmental risks associated with the Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs). The ripple effect of HHPs is seen in the reduction of Soil microorganisms, killing of pollinators and pollution in our air and water reservoirs.
It is a human right to have access to adequate and safe food, as well as to have access to a safe environment. We encourage PCPB to explore sustainable pest management alternatives that prioritize both crop protection and the long-term health of Kenyan farmers and consumers, and the environment.
The Reason for a Ban of Pesticides: While we acknowledge that some of the pest present in Kenya are not posing a risk to European crop production, we would like to emphasize that most of the pesticides that are banned in Europe are withdrawn from the market because of their unacceptable risk towards the environment and human health and not because of less pest pressure. This is out of rigorous scientific studies to demonstrate the risks. Alternatives to HHP use on specific pest problems in Kenya are already present but need wider communication and application amongst farmers’ communities. We would also like to emphasize that a system change of agricultural production is necessary and not just a substitution from one pesticide to the other, to achieve enough safe food in an enabling environment.
Finally, yet importantly, a collaborative effort among regulatory bodies, farmers, environmentalists and civil society is crucial to finding a balanced and sustainable approach to pesticide use, especially concerning the use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in Kenya. We remain committed to supporting and ensuring the safety and well-being of Kenyan citizens, safeguarding the environment and upholding food security for the country.
For further inquiries, please contact
Email: info(at)routetofood.org.
Phone Number: 0720871511.
About us
Nairobi, Kenya, September 13, 2023 - The Route to Food Initiative (RTFI) a programme of the Heinrich Böll Foundation today released the first ever report based on empirical data on Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in Kenya. The report “Toxic Business; Highly Hazardous Pesticides in Kenya” presents analyses on actual data of pesticides used in 2020 in Kenya. It shows that immediate action is necessary to protect human health, the environment, and the right to healthy food in Kenya.
The pesticide market in Kenya has experienced significant growth in recent years. In 2020 farmers in Kenya used a total of 310 pesticide products containing 151 active ingredients during the reporting period. These pesticides were applied to control insects, diseases, and weeds on 26 different crops, resulting in a total expenditure of $72.7 million.
Speaking during the launch of the report, Joachim Paul, Director, Heinrich Böll Foundation Nairobi, noted that “Empirical data is crucial to support the phasing out of Highly Hazardous Pesticides in Kenya. However, official data on national pesticide use is not publicly available. This report addresses this gap”.
Notably, a concerning 63% of pesticides products are categorized as Highly Hazardous contributing to a staggering 76% of the total pesticide volume used. Shockingly, almost half of the pesticides used in Kenya (44%) of the total volume are already banned in the European Union due to their unacceptable risks to human health and the environment. Kenya shouldn’t be any different!
Among the top 30 pesticide products in terms of volume, the majority are HHPs as well. The largely Chinese owned Swiss company, Syngenta leads the pesticides market in Kenya with a 20% market share of which 68% of their products contain HHPs, followed by Bayer AG (15%) of which 84% are HHPs. Corteva Agriscience™ (7.7%), FMC Corporation (5.7%), and Adama Agricultural Solutions (4.4%).
Common food stuff in Kenya household such as Maize, wheat, coffee, potatoes, kales and tomatoes require the largest volumes of pesticides, with a heavy reliance on HHPs. These crops are exposed to a range of toxic substances, posing significant threats to both consumers and the environment.
Only six out of the 310 pesticide products used in Kenya are biopesticides, accounting for a mere 2% (47.3 t) of the total pesticide volume. Meanwhile, Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) account for a shocking 76% of the total volume used. This huge disparity indicates the urgent need to need to promote biopesticides. Immediate regulatory action is also needed for several active ingredients, including insecticides chlorpyrifos and imidacloprid, herbicides glyphosate, atrazine, and 2,4-D, and fungicides mancozeb and chlorothalonil.
The report comes at the back drop of a recent announcement by Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) dated 10th July 2023, to review the status of some active ingredients on selected pesticides, considered as (HHPs) for phased withdrawal by December 2024.
“We acknowledge and applaud PCPB’s move to withdraw seven active ingredients by December 2024. This is a step in right direction in prioritizing Kenya’s food safety. However, more needs to be done. Pesticides such as mancozeb/ metalaxyl-M, paraquat, mesotrione and imidacloprid still pose significant health and environment impacts and need to be withdrawn immediately” added Harun Warui, Lead Programme Coordinator, Food rights and Agroecology at Heinrich Böll Foundation and Coordinator of the Right to Food Initiative.
The most toxic and most commonly used active ingredients in Kenya such as chlorpyrifos, acetochlor, glyphosate, 2,4-D, mancozeb and chlorothalonil, emphasize the urgent need immediate withdrawal due to their detrimental effects to human health and the environment.
Active ingredients, such as bifenthrin, dichlorvos, diazinon, carbaryl, fipronil, thiamethoxam, and carbendazim, have already been banned in Europe, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory measures in Kenya.
Findings of Highly Hazardous Pesticides report emphasize the need for immediate action to protect our health, environment, and the right to healthy food. Route to Food Initiative calls upon the Kenyan government, agrochemical companies, and civil society to work together to address these critical issues.
For any media enquires please contact
Faiba Kombo, 0720871511, Faiba.Kombo@ke.boell.org
The pesticide market in Kenya has experienced significant growth, leading to concerns about the harmful effects of registered pesticides on human health and the environment. Pesticide residues exceeding limits have been found in Kenyan food and limited progress in implementing stricter regulations and phasing out toxic pesticides has raised concerns about food safety and environmental impact.
Given the increasing use of pesticides, there is a need for a more robust regulatory mechanism to handle the growing number of products with highly hazardous active ingredients entering the country. Official data on national pesticide use is not publicly available, hindering informed decisions by the different players in the value chain.
Against this background, the Route to Food Initiative (RTFI) , a programme of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Kenya, would like to present a report “Toxic Business | Highly Hazardous Pesticides Kenya”. The report is based on data obtained from a private market research company GfK Kynetec Ltd (“Kynetec”), for the year 2020. The report sheds light on the prevalence of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in Kenya, exposing the extent of their usage across the whole country and the potential risks they pose.
The analysis confirms, that pesticide use in Kenya is extensive: 310 different products containing 151 active ingredients have been used across 26 different crops in 2020, with a significant reliance on HHPs for pest, disease and weed control. The total amount of pesticide products applied is 3,068 tonnes, of which 76% belong to highly hazardous pesticides and of which 44% are already banned in Europe due to their unacceptable risks on human health and the environment.
Download the report here.
Watch a short 3-part documentary called "The Food Challenge" to learn more about pesticide use in Kenya, and alternative solutions.
Join the conversation and keep updated with information #ToxicBusiness.
Pesticides are inherently hazardous, and among them, several Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) cause disproportionate harm to the environment and human health. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), HHPs are a class of pesticides acknowledged to present high levels of acute or chronic hazards to human health and the environment. For years, studies have shown that HHPs cause great damage especially in countries in the Global South, and yet massive amounts of these specifically harmful pesticides are still applied to a vast extent.
In this context, the Route to Food Initiative , a programme of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Kenya is inviting you to the upcoming launch event of the Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) Report on "Addressing the Use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides in Kenya". The Highly Hazardous Pesticides Report provides a wealth of insights from a rigorous analysis of pesticide datasets procured from a private market research entity. This report sheds light on critical matters concerning pesticide management, environmental well-being, and public health in Kenya. Drawing from data-driven assessments, the insights informed by the report will undoubtedly reshape our understanding of the challenges and opportunities surrounding pesticide use in Kenya.
The launch event's agenda features presentations from eminent subject matter experts and representatives. These thought-provoking discussions will underscore the importance of comprehensive measures to address pesticide-related concerns and promote more sustainable agriculture practices. The event will also facilitate networking and knowledge sharing, enhancing collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
The event will also be happening online. Register here!
We look forward to meeting you and jointly advocating for the right to safer, healthier food for Kenyans.
Kenyans continue to struggle to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their access to food and enjoyment of their right to food and nutrition. Currently, high inflation, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the drought have exacerbated the situation. According to a UN forecast for October 2022 to January 2023, 1.2 million people will be in the emergency phase and require immediate assistance. Not ignoring the fact that many Kenyans are hungry and that the number is expected to rise in 2023.
In this context, the Route to Food Initiative organized a panel discussion on "Politics of Food | Structural & Underlying Causes of Hunger and Food Insecurity in Kenya" on December 8, 2021. The purpose of the event was to influence and alter the narrative surrounding food security and the right to food in Kenya, as well as to shed light on the structural causes of hunger and malnutrition, such as a lack of political will, power imbalance, poverty, land injustice, reliance on global value chains, marginalization of local production, corruption, and policy inequality.
The event was part of a series of forums on food literacy that began in 2021. These forums are intended to provide a platform for learning and dialogue on a variety of food system-related topics in Kenya.
You can find the full recording here. Join the conversation #FoodLiteracyForumsKe.
A Programme of Heinrich Boell Foundation
Prof. Wangari Maathai Road, Nairobi
P.O. Box 10799-00100 GPO Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 (0)20 760 5300
