Kenya is taking a bold step toward agricultural self-reliance by halting the importation of dozens of chemical pesticides and ramping up support for locally made, plant-based alternatives. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe revealed the plan during an address in Nakuru, citing health concerns and regulatory red flags around the imported products.
According to Kagwe, regulatory authorities have identified 50 pesticide brands currently in use that are no longer allowed in their countries of origin. Rather than continue importing these products, the government is redirecting its efforts to nurture domestic production, especially leveraging pyrethrum a naturally occurring pesticide crop grown in Kenya.
To make this transition viable, the government plans to significantly scale up pyrethrum farming from 10,000 to more than 70,000 acres, a move expected to enhance both environmental safety and local economic resilience. County governments are being brought on board to provide farmers with the necessary tools, training, and support.
“This is about more than regulation it’s about investing in our own capacity,” Kagwe said, emphasizing that the shift is aimed at boosting local industry and creating employment across the agricultural value chain.
The ministry also intends to convene industry processors and key stakeholders in Nairobi to streamline the processing and commercialization of pyrethrum-based products, ensuring that the country can meet its own pest control needs without relying on controversial imports.
This strategic pivot reflects Kenya’s broader vision of a safer, more sustainable agricultural future rooted in homegrown innovation.
