This archive report was first published on 27 June 2020.
Investigative journalist John-Allan Namu has sounded the alarm over the use of hazardous pesticides on groceries in Kenya, sparking concerns about the safety of the food people consume.
According to Namu, 33% of pesticides registered in Kenya are not approved for use in European markets due to their impact on human and environmental health.
Shollei, the Uasin Gishu Women Representative, has petitioned the government to withdraw dozens of harmful pesticides from the market, citing their potential to destroy both human and environmental health.
"As you shop for groceries today, remember that 33 per cent of the pesticides registered in Kenya aren't in European markets because of their impact on human and environmental health. State House has a role in correcting this, so does your MP," Namu tweeted on June 20, 2019.
Trace International CEO Alexandra Wrage presented Africa Uncensored's John Allan Namu with the 2019 prize for investigative reporting on June 29, 2019.
Namu has raised questions about the administration of pesticide dosages, guidelines for use, and enforcement, highlighting the role of agrochemical companies in filling the void left by the government's extension services.
He has also warned Kenyans to be cautious of key ingredients in pesticides, which are specified by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB). PCPB categorizes pesticides into four types: carcinogenic, mutagenic, endocrine disrupter, and neurotoxic.
Uasin Gishu Women Representative Gladys Boss Shollei has called for the ban of all four categories of pesticides and urged the government to develop a strategy to withdraw them from the market.
She has also challenged various organizations, including the Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya (BIBA-K), to ratify the issue and set up measures to guarantee food safety in Kenya.
"There are products in the market that cause cancer, affect our reproductive systems and lead to auto-immune diseases. There are products in the market that pose a risk to our bee populations and other important pollinators for food production," Shollei stated in the petition.
