September 2023

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.