The Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) has raised concerns over the influx of unregistered and counterfeit pesticides into the Kenyan market.
Speaking in Mombasa, PCPB Coast Regional Manager Stanley Nganga said the board is privy to unauthorised entry and clearance of containers bearing counterfeit pesticides through the port of Mombasa that bypass standard procedure and enter the market for consumption.
Nganga said, in the last week they had flagged several consignments of unauthorised pesticide products that were imported into the country and falsely declared during the clearance process at various entry points.
“We have managed to intercept and gotten tip-offs of huge consignments at various points of entry including a 23,700kg container at Boss Freight CFS that was shipped into the country from Ningbo, China and falsely declared and cleared contrary to the laid down procedure” said Nganga.
He added that the incidents have prompted the board to take stringent measures to enforce compliance and regulate the entry of authorised pesticides into the country. A multi-agency approach that involves law enforcement agencies will be employed to mitigate this problem.
“The board has forwarded a few cases to the DCI for investigations including the clearance of unauthorised pesticides that were being held at Boss Freight CFS containing 23,700kg of falsely declared cargo,” said Nganga.
Hazardous
Senior Compliance and Enforcement Officer at PCPB Karisa Mududu gave a cautionary appeal to Kenyans noting that it is paramount that only registered and authorised pesticides sold in licensed agro-vets and retailers are safe for use.
Mududu said pesticides are hazardous and need extra precaution when handling them since they can cause major health risks in the event they are mishandled or are unfit for use.
He added that the board is on high alert for pesticide product vendors who do not comply with the licensing and regularisation procedures and risk the closure of their businesses.
“All businesses plying the pesticide trade in the country should practice compliance as the board has intensified efforts to ensure that there is strict adherence to the law,” said Mududu.
PCPB is a statutory organisation of Kenya government mandated to regulate the importation, exportation, manufacturing, distribution, transportation, sale, use and disposal of pest control products in the country.
The board’s functions are guided by the Pest Control Products (PCP) Act Cap 346 Laws of Kenya.
