Over the past few months, an important conversation has been unfolding across Kenya. Food safety has taken centre stage in public conversations between a research institution, farmers, a regulatory body, a county governor and everyday consumers. It started with potatoes.
A study by Egerton University published in the Journal of Food Protection reported the presence of pesticide residues in potato samples from Nyandarua County. Specifically, the researchers found residues of Chlorpyrifos and Fenitrothion in levels higher than the recommended maximum residue levels – MRLs (per both the European Union-EU and CODEX standards). Both ingredients are used to control pests but are linked to health risks in humans. The findings quickly caught media and public attention as seen on media coverage here and here and in conversations online and offline.
Farmers were among the first to weigh in. Some expressed disbelief and frustration, arguing that they were not consulted and that potatoes were their only source of income. However, some, especially on social media, shared firsthand experiences that confirmed what has been an open secret among farming communities. Several users revealed that it is common practice to grow potatoes for home or personal use on one plot, which is minimally sprayed or not sprayed at all, and to grow a separate batch for sale in markets, where chemical use is far more intense. "We would rather be hungry than eat from the farm for sale," one resident said on X (formerly Twitter).
To be fair, this is not just a potato problem or even a Nyandarua problem only. Research has found pesticides in varying samples from different counties. For example, organophospate residues in vegetables sold in Nairobi, a cocktail of pesticides in tomatoes from Kirinyaga and tomatoes and kale from Murang’a and in water, soils, tomatoes and kales from Laikipia. Even PCPB’s own studies confirm presence of pesticide residues in kales, tomatoes and onions from Nyandarua, Nakuru, Kajiado, Nyeri, Meru, Kirinyaga, Taita Taveta and Makueni, although they hold that some of the thresholds are insignificant depending on whether using EU or CODEX standards as benchmark.
The Governor of Nyandarua, Dr. Kiarie Badilisha stepped in shortly after, posting a video on Facebook denying the study’s results, claiming that it was “economic warfare.” He emphasized that Nyandarua collaborates with the regulatory body for pesticides and conducts training for farmers to ensure that the inputs used are safe. The governor’s defense of his county is understandable given that potatoes are Nyandarua’s main agricultural product and a vital source of income for farmers.
The Pests Control Products Board (PCPB), Kenya’s pesticide regulatory authority, issued a press statement in response to the study. While it acknowledged the concerns raised, the Board also questioned the methodology and sampling techniques used in the research. They affirmed that chlorpyrifos, one of the active ingredients found in the potatoes is only registered for use in building, construction, and wood treatment and has no approval for agricultural use.
To clarify, chlorpyrifos was restricted from agricultural use in December 2024 and is now only approved for use in construction. Its detection in crops therefore raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of restrictions as a regulatory tool. Are there adequate checks in place along the marketing, distribution, and sales chains to ensure such restrictions are enforced?
Meanwhile, consumer voices have added yet another layer to the conversation. On X and Facebook, people shared their concerns, frustrations, and a deep sense of resignation in reaction to the study. Others shared that they had given up, cooking what they could afford and hoping for the best. The dissonance of knowing your health is at risk but lacking solutions was a thread that ran through many of the comments. A recurring theme was the contrast between food grown for in country market and that produced for export. Several users noted that export crops undergo strict testing and must meet international safety standards, while local food systems are far less regulated.
These public conversations among the different parties have been quite revealing. Farmers are very much aware of the harm caused by pesticides. Consumers are also aware of unsafe food getting to their plates, but feel unheard and powerless to demand better. The political class appear more concerned with economic optics than public health, prioritizing the end regardless of the means. The regulatory body is largely in denial, quick to deflect blame for harmful pesticides on Kenyan farmers. The conversation has started, but will those with the power to act, finally listen? And more importantly, will they act?
