Esther Kimani, Pest Control Products Board boss, said the reporting will help them collect data and decide which pesticides to ban or restrict usage of in the country.
Image: / JOHN CHESOLI
The pesticides regulator has asked medics to help their fight against toxic chemicals by reporting cases they suspect are the result of harmful pest control products.
The World Health Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme estimate pesticide poisoning rates at two to three a minute.
The largest numbers of pesticide poisonings and deaths occur in developing countries.
WHO says pesticide-related acute illnesses include headaches, stomach pains, vomiting, skin rashes, respiratory problems, eye irritations, sneezing, seizures, and coma. Chronic illnesses include cancer, asthma, dermatitis and birth defects.
Esther Kimani, Pest Control Products Board boss, said the reporting will help them collect data and decide which pesticides to ban or restrict usage of in the country.
Kimani spoke on Thursday during a journalists’ awareness workshop organised by the Market Access Upgrade Program-Kenya at the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service headquarters.
The Sh400 million programme seeks to support counties to improve market access of agro-food products to the EU and regional and local markets.
The programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by United Nations Industrial Development Organization through the national and county governments and the private sector.
Kimani urged medical practitioners who may have already reported such cases to share the information with PCPB.
She said such data will help the board in determining whether any product or pesticide should continue being marketed in Kenya.
“And if it has to continue being used, stringent and restrictive procedures be put on who can handle or use the pesticide and for what purposes,” Kimani said.
UNIDO-MARKUP national project coordinator Maina Karuiru said the project is working with stakeholders for a pesticides' awareness campaign.
“This is to sensitise small-scale growers, agro-dealers and other stakeholders on the safe use of pesticides to ensure we can grow safe food for export and domestic market,” Karuiru said.
Kephis managing director Theophilus Mutui said the European Union is the major market for Kenya’s flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs.
“In view of the traditional and new markets, we urge exporters to strictly adhere to market requirements. This means to scout for pests and diseases and take steps to mitigate against them. They should also adhere to set maximum residue limits,” Mutui said.
PCPB warned farmers against bringing in from other countries pesticides that have not been registered or are restricted for use or banned in Kenya.
"This is because they risk their health and the health of others and also our trade in agriculture,” Kimani said.
He said Kenya is a major agriculture exporter and the economy depends on the sector.
“Therefore, there is need to safeguard the sector by using the products registered in Kenya and follow the instructions, use them as per the approval of that product and for that crop,” Kimani said.