A recently published report exposes alarming health risks in the Kenyan food supply chain, as toxic pesticide residues have been discovered in commonly consumed agricultural products, including tomato salad, fruit pudding, potatoes, and sukuma wiki stew.
The report, titled “Toxic Business: Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in Kenya,” released by the Heinrich Boll Foundation, a prominent environment and food security advocacy group, highlights the widespread use of toxic pesticides imported from China and Europe—the two largest exporters of farm chemicals to Kenya.
These pesticides, banned in Europe since 2007, continue to be sold to Kenyan farmers.
According to the report, more than half of the 310 pesticides examined were found to contain hazardous substances, including carbosulfan, known for its damaging effects on human organs, as well as glyphosate, which has been associated with cancer in humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Additionally, carbofuran, listed as a banned substance in both Kenya and the United States, is still available in Kenya under a different label.
The consequences of these toxic pesticides are severe, with human exposure to carbosulfan leading to liver and kidney failure, as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Furthermore, these chemicals can corrode vital fat layers and have adverse effects on inner intestinal linings.
The report reveals that Kenyan farmers currently employ billions of liters of these toxic pesticides in various agricultural regions, including the Rift Valley, Central, Western, and Nyanza, jeopardizing not only their own health but also that of consumers.
While biopesticides for insect pest control make up only two percent of the total pesticide volume used in Kenya, hazardous pesticides account for a staggering 76 percent.
Moreover, imported pesticides and fungicides, used on over 635,000 hectares of agricultural land, have become a booming business, costing Kenyan farmers approximately USD 72.7 million annually.
Despite the availability of safer alternatives, these hazardous pesticides remain easily accessible over agrovet counters, posing significant health risks to those who use them.
Moreover, chemicals like chlorpyrifos, linked to nervous system issues and other health problems, continue to be used, even though they are extremely toxic to fish, endangering local water sources.
The report sheds light on a deep-seated issue within Kenya’s agriculture sector, with banned pesticides continuing to be used, leading to the loss of foreign horticulture markets and raising concerns about food security and safety.
With climate change intensifying pest and disease pressures on farms, there is a pressing need to address the harmful impact of these pesticides on both humans and the environment.
The report underscores the importance of regulating the manufacture, trade, and use of toxic pesticides to safeguard public health and secure the nation’s food supply.
