The government has proposed the formation of a panel of leading agricultural scientists to investigate concerns over the possibility of toxic food disseminating in the country.
Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh announced that government researchers will undertake a three-month study on national food safety, with a focus on exploring any potential links between chronic illnesses such as cancer and food consumption.
He made the remarks on the sidelines of the start of a five-day second Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Scientific Conference and Innovation Expo at Loresho in Nairobi.
Dr. Ronoh said the study will help clarify growing public concerns and “demystify” claims connecting food safety issues to rising cases of chronic diseases.
“We have tasked scientists under KALRO and other related organizations to expeditiously conduct the survey. The findings will help the government make concrete decisions on food safety and ensure that food produced and consumed in the country is of high quality,” he said.
He added that reports alleging the presence of poisonous food in circulation have prompted the government to commission a deeper analysis of food safety standards.
The findings, he noted, will also guide future policy interventions aimed at ensuring farmers adhere to safe production practices.
At the same time, Dr. Ronoh directed researchers to conduct a separate one-month study on fertilizer use and aflasafe as key components of food production.
The study will examine gaps in the production system despite increased uptake of subsidized fertilizer and assess why adoption of aflasafe remains low among farmers.
The PS suggested that aflasafe could be integrated into the national fertilizer subsidy programme.
KALRO Chairman Dr. Thuo Mathenge raised concerns over aflatoxin contamination in food and animal feeds, warning that it continues to cause significant losses in livestock production and poses risks to human health.
Food safety in Kenya faces significant challenges from aflatoxin fungus that grows on maize, millet, and peanuts, producing a potent carcinogen known as aflatoxins.
He cited cases of farmers losing entire flocks due to contaminated feed and called for stronger involvement of all value chain actors to increase the use of aflasafe.
“As a research agency, we recommend greater collaboration across the value chain to increase uptake of aflasafe,” he said.
Dr. Mathenge also urged farmers to adopt improved crop varieties developed by KALRO, noting that low uptake of scientific innovations continues to worsen challenges such as climate change impacts and declining productivity in the agricultural sector.
“The Board is firmly committed to supporting an environment where evidence-based research can flourish, where scientific integrity is non-negotiable, and where the translation of knowledge into impact is a shared institutional priority,” he said.
KALRO Director General Dr. Patrick Ketiem said that through partnerships with the private sector and farmer organizations, they were working toward ensuring research is driven by national needs such as climate resilience and food security even as they continue to strengthen the institution’s role in policy and public discourse and build greater trust through accountability and delivery.
The conference is expected to run for four days, with participants encouraged to use the sessions to strengthen partnerships and accelerate the adoption of agricultural innovations.
By Wangari Ndirangu
