Senate Committee questions Nyandarua Governor over use of unsafe pesticides in potato farming

Senate Committee questions Nyandarua Governor over use of unsafe pesticides in potato farming

Bunge Tower
Thursday 29th May 2025

The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, today, met with Nyandarua Governor Dr. Moses Kiarie Badilisha to discuss findings from a recent Egerton University study that reported unsafe pesticide residues in potatoes grown in the county.

The study, published in the Elsevier Journal of Food Protection, raised concerns over the use of chlorpyrifos, an insecticide linked to harmful health effects. In response, Governor Badilisha questioned the report’s credibility, noting that researchers did not consult the county government before publishing their findings.

“The study risks damaging our farmers’ livelihoods,” he said. “We are concerned about its methodology, especially since it was conducted without involving local authorities who regulate and support farming practices here.”

Nyandarua is known for its high-altitude potato farming, and the Governor explained that insect pests are not a major threat in the region. He clarified that farmers primarily use fungicides to manage diseases such as late blight. He also confirmed that chlorpyrifos was still legally used in Kenya at the time of the study’s likely data collection.

Senator Wafula Wakoli, chair of the Committee, acknowledged the Governor’s points but urged caution. “Food safety must remain a top priority,” he said. “If there are credible concerns, we owe it to consumers and farmers alike to take them seriously.”

The Committee called for independent verification of the findings, suggesting collaboration with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and national regulatory agencies such as the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), and the Agricultural Advisory Committee of Kenya (AAK).

Governor Badilisha outlined steps already taken by the county to promote safe farming practices, including the registration of agro-dealers, farmer training programs, and the promotion of organic alternatives.

“We are working hard to ensure responsible pesticide use,” he said. “But we also need support, not alarmist reports that can harm our market reputation.”

Committee members welcomed these efforts but emphasized the need for transparency and further action. They pledged to monitor the situation closely and follow up on the implementation of agreed measures.

“Farmer welfare and food safety are not mutually exclusive,” Senator Wakoli concluded. “We must protect both.”