Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has warned that stern action will be taken against cartels, whom he accused of sabotaging the government's efforts to eliminate toxic pesticides in ongoing efforts to achieve food safety standards.
Kagwe claims that these parties have, in the past two months, been reinforcing their opposition towards the government's decision to ban the importation of 50 pesticides, which were deemed unfit. In a statement on Wednesday, June 11, the Agriculture CS said the cartels have been using unlawful strategies such as bribing legislative and regulatory bodies to block governments' efforts to enforce food safety standards.
Furthermore, the CS claims that the cartels have also used their influence to ensure that the media reports positive things about the banned agrochemicals in the Kenyan market.
A photo of someone spraying his crops Photo Kagwe stressed that the government will not backstep in its bid to strengthen pesticide regulations in the country, despite the pushback by the individuals. "You can expect these determined to produce the pesticides that you don't want to fight back.
