This archive report was first published on 16 September 2019.
Published on September 16, 2019, a lawmaker in Kenya has called for a ban on dozens of harmful agro-chemicals used by local farmers, citing health risks to consumers and farmers alike.
Uasin Gishu County Women Representative Gladys Shollei tabled a petition in the National Assembly last week, accusing the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (Kephis) and the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) of contravening local laws and global codes of conduct.
Shollei argued that the continued use of these chemicals exposes Kenyans to chronic ailments, including cancer and other health complications. She also pointed out that the products are manufactured by European firms but are not allowed to retail in Europe due to their harmful nature.
According to Shollei, there are over 100 pest control products sold in Kenya that contain harmful chemicals and have been banned in other markets. She recommended an immediate ban on all products classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, endocrine disrupters, neurotoxic, and many others that show clear effects on reproduction toxicity.
Shollei also suggested that the Government withdraw all harmful and toxic pesticides from the market and develop a strategy to remove such products over several years. She further proposed amending the Pest Control Products Act to include a list of pesticides that have been withdrawn from the market to prevent their reintroduction in the future.
Shollei's petition comes as various nations around the world have joined the call to abolish the popular glyphosate-based weed killer RoundUp, following a wave of lawsuits against the manufacturer Monsanto and parent company Bayer after several users were diagnosed with cancer.
