This archive report was first published on 17 June 2020.
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford's successful campaign to extend free school meals in the UK has inspired Kakamega Homeboyz skipper Allan Wanga to use his platform for social change in Kenya.
Wanga has joined a campaign to withdraw toxic chemical pesticides from the Kenyan market, citing the serious implications they pose to health and the environment.
The petition, brought before parliament last year by Uasin Gishu Women Representative Gladys Boss Shollei, is currently before the Agriculture Committee.
Wanga, a former Kenyan international, has been using his social media accounts to advocate for the petition since February, urging his followers to engage with their MPs on the issue.
“Urge your MP to support the petition. Engage them on Twitter, Facebook or however you can,” Wanga said in one of his posts.
Shollei's petition highlights the need for safer food production practices in Kenya, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has exacerbated food insecurity situations.
“32pc of the active ingredients registered for use in Kenya, are not allowed in Europe. Most of the pesticides we use in Kenya, are imported from Europe. We are growing organic food for export, but are seemingly less concerned about the quality of food made available to our own people. This is not acceptable,” Shollei said in a statement.
Wanga hopes that adding his voice to the campaign will bring attention to the dangers posed by the increased use of harmful pesticides by Kenyan farmers, and ultimately safeguard the health and wellbeing of Kenyans.
