Members of Parliament have challenged the Kenya Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) to tighten its internal systems and strengthen regulation amid growing concerns over pesticide safety and their possible link to cancer.
The board’s Chief Executive Officer, Fredrick Muchiri, appeared before the National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Social Services, Administration and Agriculture, where MPs questioned weaknesses flagged by the Auditor-General and the regulator’s capacity to effectively carry out its mandate.
Nominated MP Jackson Kosgei urged the board to make use of Parliament’s support to improve its operations, particularly if funding constraints are affecting its work.
“We want you to improve. Please know that we can improve your capacity, if you do not have enough funds free free and we will be able to speak on your behalf.”
Kosgei also raised concerns about the board’s corporate affairs and called for stronger internal structures.
“We have noted there is issue in corporate affairs in your board. We need you have a good system inside to help you perform duties diligently.”
Committee sessional chair and Ndiwa MP Owino Peter Martins said MPs were ready to guide the board in strengthening its regulatory framework.
“We give you an opportunity to know how you can incorporate regulations in the board.”
Muchiri acknowledged the concerns and said the PCPB would work to address gaps identified by the Auditor-General.
“We are here to learn and hope to deliver as time goes by and we take upon ourselves to close the gaps raised by the OAG.”
The committee also questioned reports that Kenya continues to use pesticides banned in other countries because of their potential risks to human health and the environment.
Muchiri rejected the claims, saying Kenya complies with international agreements governing hazardous chemicals and pesticides.
“The theory has been created around that Kenya is using the products that have been banned it's not true. Kenya is a member of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which aims to eliminate or restrict dangerous, harmful chemicals.”
He further defended Kenya’s approval system, saying pesticides that pose serious health risks are not allowed and should not automatically be blamed for the country’s cancer burden.
“The process of evaluating pesticide for using this country does not leave space for authorisation of products that can cause cancer neither can they be reproductive toxicants nor can they affect the unborn and it doesn't.”
Owino, however, urged the board to work with scientific institutions to establish the causes of cancer, particularly in cases where pesticide exposure is suspected.
“Go deeper and liaise with other scientific institutions to tell us if things happen like this and what is now on the ground everywhere and pesticide is not eliminated as the cause.”
MP Kosgei called for independent research to provide a wider assessment of pesticide use and its potential health and environmental effects.
“With such, it requires a second opinion from external research because you cannot convince a Kenyan on that as it needs to extend the scope beyond the limited samples, perhaps un-environmental, historical inputs in the area.”
The board maintained that its evaluation process is designed to prevent the approval of pesticides that could pose serious risks to human health.
The committee’s scrutiny puts fresh focus on the PCPB’s regulatory role, with MPs calling for stronger governance, closure of audit gaps and greater scientific collaboration to provide Kenyans with credible answers on pesticide safety and public health.