Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, has warned that powerful pesticide cartels are actively sabotaging government efforts to eliminate harmful agrochemicals and enforce food safety standards. "We are aware that banned pesticide cartels are fighting back-through bribery of legislative and regulatory bodies, infiltration of government institutions, and the sponsorship of media articles to undermine public health reforms," Kagwe revealed.
Speaking during the opening of the 2025 Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI) Africa Regional Consultation, the CS highlighted that the high-stakes battle is underway as Kenya and its African partners attempt to phase out hazardous pesticides and modernise agricultural practices.
Kagwe's warning came amid renewed calls for regional co-operation in tackling pesticide risks, environmental degradation, and pest-related crop losses.
Hosted in Nairobi, the CABI Africa Regional Consultation brings together policymakers, scientists, and development partners to chart a continent-wide path toward safer, climate-smart agriculture.
