This archive report was first published on 23 October 2019.
Published on October 23, 2019, a report by the Route to Food Initiative has shed light on the alarming presence of harmful chemicals in Kenyan markets.
These chemicals, including carbendazim, a fungicide, have been linked to cancer, genetic mutations, and hormonal imbalances in humans, as well as environmental damage and threats to bee populations and food security.
Despite being banned in the European Union in 2011 and not approved for use in the United States and the United Kingdom, 75 of these harmful products are still sold in Kenya, mostly by European companies.
The Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), responsible for regulating pest control products, has been criticized for allowing the use of these chemicals without proper consideration for human and environmental health.
During product registration, manufacturers only submit information on the product's purity and efficacy, without providing data on potential health and environmental risks.
The Pest Control Products Act does not explicitly consider environmental and human health concerns during registration, raising questions about the board's priorities.
Experts are calling on the PCPB to address these concerns and uphold Kenyans' right to safe food and a healthy environment, as stipulated in Articles 42 and 43 of the Constitution.
They also recommend withdrawing harmful products from the market, holding agrochemical corporations accountable, and promoting ecological farming practices.
