The Ministry of Agriculture has announced the withdrawal of 77 harmful end-use pesticides from the Kenyan market.

In a statement on Monday, June 23, 2025, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe revealed that 202 products on various crops have also been restricted.

“We have taken decisive regulatory action to withdraw 77 end-use products from the Kenyan market and to restrict the use of 202 products on various crops. A further 151 products are under review by the PCPB, with a decision on their approval expected by December 2025,” he stated.

Further, the use or importation of the 151 products remains prohibited until the end of the review being undertaken by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB).

The banned pesticides include 2,4,5-T (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxybutyric acid), chlordane, chlordimeform, DDT ( Dichlorodiphenyl Trichloroethane), Dibromochloropropane Soil Fumigant, Endrin Insecticide, Ethylene dibromide – EDB (1,2 1,2-dibromoethane), Heptachlor, Toxaphene (Camphechlor), 5 Isomers of Hexachlorocyclohexane, Ethyl Parathion, Methyl Parathion, and captafol.

Others include Aldrin, Benomyl, Carbofuran-Thiram combinations,  Binapacryl, Chlorobenzilate, Dieldrin, Dinoseb and Dinoseb salts, DNOC and its salts, Ethylene Dichloride, Ethylene Oxide, Fluoroacetamide, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Mercury Compounds, Pentachlorophenol, Phosphamidon, Parathion, Monocrotophos, All Tributylin Compounds, Chlordane, Alpha-Hexachlorocyclohexane, and Beta-Hexachlorocyclohexane.

Mirex Insecticide, Alachlor Herbicide, Aldicarb, Endosulfan, Lindane, Azimphos-methyl Insecticide, Methamidophos, Cerboluran, Phorate Insecticide, Dicofol Insecticide, Trichlorfon, and Terbufos.

Measures

To safeguard the public, CS Kagwe stated that the ministry has resolved that all pest control products (PCPs) considered for registration in Kenya must be registered in their country of origin, no pest control products banned at the international level under multilateral environmental agreements shall be registered for use in Kenya and the importation of any molecule under review that is not approved in the European Union, the United States of America, Australia, or Canada shall be prohibited until finalisation and review.

The government has also urged farmers to comply with the new regulations and adopt alternative pest management methods that are safe and effective.

“We urge all farmers, distributors, and stakeholders to comply fully with these new regulations and to adopt safe, effective, and environmentally friendly pest management alternatives.  The ministry is committed to supporting farmers through education, extension services, and the promotion of integrated pest management practices,” the CS added.