By PSCU
The National Assembly Committee on Implementation has strongly criticized the State Department of Agriculture and the Pest Control Products Board for their inaction regarding the withdrawal of harmful pesticides, despite a House Resolution demanding their removal.
The MPs expressed their concerns during a meeting with Principal Secretary Dr. Kiprono Rono and Pest Control Products Board CEO Mr. Fredrick Muchiri, accusing them of prioritizing the interests of the agrochemical industry at the expense of the health of Kenyans.
The Committee is overseeing the implementation of a 2019 House Resolution, stemming from a petition tabled by Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss, which called for the ban of these harmful substances.
Alarmed by the rising cancer rates in Kenya, allegedly linked to these chemicals, the lawmakers convened a meeting with key stakeholders, including officials from the State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards, the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, and the Agrochemicals Association of Kenya.
Led by Raphael Wanjala, and with the petitioner, Gladys Boss, present, the lawmakers expressed their fury at the Board and called for its immediate dissolution for failure to implement the resolution of the House. They rejected the written submissions from the invited parties, demanding the immediate deregistration of all 267 cited products.
“This matter dates back to 2019. Why are these products still on the shelves, endangering lives of Kenyans ?” Boss questioned.
Boss further wondered why the products were still being sold yet they had been banned in their countries of origin.
“Hon. Members,the products we are talking about have been banned in their countries of origin. They have been banned in North America and in Europe, why are they being sold in the local market?”, she wondered.
She cautioned that she would file a class action suit if the products are not banned immediately.
MPs Memusi Kanchory (Kajiado Central) and Hillary Kosgei (Kipkelion West) pressed the officials for an immediate press statement announcing the deregistration of these products. They challenged the Board CEO’s claim that further scientific research had deemed some information in the House Resolution inaccurate.
“We are not interested in further research. Cancer cases have been rising rapidly since 2015. Have you conducted spot checks on agrochemical shops to ensure products’ safety?” Kosgei asked.
Memusi accused the Board of protecting agrochemical dealers and urged the State Department to act swiftly.
“We are not asking you to make a populist decision. We are asking you to make the right decision. Cancer cases are on the rise both in urban areas and in the rural areas. These cases can only be attributed to the kind of foods we’re eating”, he noted.
Memusi recalled a recent encounter with a tourist who told informed him that those visiting the East African region had been advised to keep away from consuming uncooked vegetables in hotels because the heavy usage of agrochemicals during their cultivation.
MPs Zamzam Mohammed (Mombasa), Stanley Muthama (Lamu West), and Kitilai ole Ntutu (Narok South) also demanded immediate action, emphasizing the danger of continued use of these pesticides.
Wanjala also echoed these sentiments, stressing the Committee’s commitment to enforcing House Resolutions.
“We are all affected by this. When you buy tomatoes in the market for instance, you have no
Idea how it has been grown, We cannot allow Kenyans to continue dying as a result of our inaction,” he stated.
The PS acknowledged the delay and requested more time to issue a press statement on the matter.
Wanjala directed the officials to reappear before the committee next week for an update.
