(EMBU, KENYA) – The Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) has seized fake and unregistered home and farm pesticides with a street value of approximately KES 1 million ($6,900 / £5,400) in Embu and Kirinyaga Counties.
The operation saw three suspects arrested and set to be arraigned in court. It forms part of a nationwide crackdown aimed at ridding the country of illegal pesticides that have severe consequences for both human health and agricultural productivity.
Speaking on Saturday afternoon after the exercise in Embu, PCPB General Manager in charge of Compliance and Enforcement Lawrence Kalawa called on traders to deal with authorised commodities for use in the country or risk arrest and prosecution.
He said these illegal pesticides are usually sold at a cheaper price but pose a grave danger as they contain banned or toxic substances. Exposure can lead to harmful effects on users.
Kalawa noted that the biggest proportion of the products intercepted was pesticides used in homes for the control of domestic pests such as cockroaches, bedbugs, fleas and mosquitoes.
“Pesticides is a restricted field and those dealing in unregistered products should stop forthwith because we are going to catch up with them,” he warned.
He also cautioned genuine traders who secretly facilitate the vice by stocking and selling illegal pesticides. He said they risk having their certificates withdrawn as well as facing prosecution.
Kalawa also warned importers who try to circumvent the rules at the port of entry in Mombasa that the system is highly improved and that their days of dealing with illegal pesticides are numbered.
He said all dealers in pest control products must seek authorisation from PCPB before operating in the country. All products must also bear official safety stickers to confirm they have been inspected and approved.
“We will not relent in our mission to protect farmers and consumers from harmful products. Anyone found selling unauthorised pesticides will face prosecution,” he said.