The influx of illicit agricultural products through Kenya’s porous borders and a shrinking range of pest-control products available to farmers are emerging as major challenges to effective pest management, the agricultural industry has said.
aaK—Grow Chief Executive Officer Joel Mutai said although it was difficult to quantify the current prevalence of counterfeit agricultural products, enforcement efforts by regulators since 2021 had helped reduce the level of counterfeiting in the market.
He, however, said illicit products were increasingly entering the country in small quantities through border points, making detection and enforcement more difficult.
“Every port of entry to our neighbouring countries, the regulator is present, and that has actually managed to contain the problem,” Mutai said.
He said some illicit products were being brought into the country through informal means, including motorcycles, allowing traders to evade detection by authorities.
Mutai said there were also cases where farmers knowingly concealed information about illicit products, making it difficult for authorities to trace the source and take action.
He urged farmers to provide information to authorities and encouraged the government to intensify raids and prosecution of those involved in the illegal trade.
“The government and the private sector are happy to help the farmer use the right products,” he said, adding that awareness campaigns were also necessary to protect farmers from counterfeit and illegal products.
Mutai further raised concern over changes in European regulations governing the approval and use of agricultural products, saying the measures were reducing the range of pest-control products available to Kenyan farmers.
He said Europe remained a key market for Kenya’s agricultural exports and that farmers had to comply with requirements in the destination market to safeguard exports.
“When Europe withdraws products, and we are trading a lot with Europe as a very key partner, for us to protect that market, we must ensure that we do not use products that they also do not need,” Mutai said.
He said the withdrawal of some products was narrowing the “toolbox” available to farmers at a time when the country was facing increasing threats from pests and emerging diseases.
“The availability of products that the farmer requires for use is becoming smaller and smaller,” he said.
Mutai called for increased engagement between the Kenyan government and the European Union to address regulatory concerns while maintaining food safety and protecting Kenya’s access to the European market.
Meanwhile, Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) Chief Executive Officer Linda Bach said the media had an important role in helping the public understand complex issues affecting agriculture, including pest management, food safety, environmental sustainability, and regulation.
Bach said journalists needed access to credible scientific and regulatory information to accurately report on agricultural issues and help farmers and consumers make informed decisions.
“Agriculture is one area where this is particularly important. Food protection intersects with food security, farmer livelihoods, consumer safety, environmental sustainability, science, regulation, and the wider economy,” she said.
She challenged editors and journalists to identify information gaps and examine how misinformation was affecting public understanding of agricultural issues.
Bach said engagement between the media, industry, and other stakeholders should, however, safeguard editorial independence while enabling journalists to scrutinize evidence and ask informed questions.
“The purpose is not to secure a critical pathway but to enable journalists to ask better-informed questions, interrogate evidence, and report responsibly,” she said.
Bach said the media should also seek greater access to scientists, regulators, and industry experts to help translate technical agricultural information into content that the public could understand without compromising accuracy or context.
Meanwhile, AAK Grow board member Nelson Gacuiri said effective pest management required cooperation among government agencies, farmers, agro-dealers, researchers, extension officers, industry players and the media.
He said pest management had implications beyond agricultural production, touching on food security, livelihoods, public health, the environment, and the wider economy.
Gacuiri urged stakeholders to promote science-based information and responsible use of agricultural products, saying farmers needed accurate information on pest management and product safety.
He also called for greater public awareness on the cost of pest management, food safety, responsible use of agricultural products, and environmental stewardship.
The remarks were made during a stakeholder engagement convened by aaK-Grow and the Kenya Editors Guild on agricultural pest management, food safety, and responsible use of crop protection products.
By Wangari Ndirangu
