This archive report was first published on 28 June 2020.
On June 20, 2020, Allan Namu, a renowned journalist and CEO of Africa Uncensored, sounded the alarm on the dangers of pesticides sprayed on Kenyan groceries. In a tweet, he warned that 33% of the pesticides registered in Kenya are not approved in European markets due to their hazardous impact on human and environmental health.
Shollei, the Uasin Gishu Women Representative, has spearheaded a petition to withdraw dozens of harmful pesticides from the market, citing their potential to destroy both human and environmental health. The petition calls upon Kenyans to rally their MPs to support the motion.
According to the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), pesticides can be categorized into four types: carcinogenic, mutagenic, endocrine disrupter, and neurotoxic. Carcinogenic pesticides, which are highly toxic and can cause cancer, are rated at less than 0.1. Mutagenic pesticides, which can cause mutations and are toxic, are rated between 0.1-1.0. Neurotoxic pesticides, which can damage the brain or peripheral nervous system, are rated between 1.0-10. Endocrine disruptors can affect hormonal systems.
Gladys Shollei wants all four categories of pesticides banned and has urged the government to develop a strategy to withdraw them from the market, a process that is expected to take several years. She has also challenged various organizations, including the Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya (BIBA-K), Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN), Resources Oriented Development Initiatives (RODI Kenya), and Route to Food Initiative (RTFI), to ratify the issue and set up measures to guarantee food safety in Kenya.
