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Auditor-General: Kenya lacks continuous pesticide residue monitoring despite health risks
Sunday 02nd August, 2026 09:14 AM|
Kenya lacks a continuous national programme for monitoring pesticide residues in food, water and soil, exposing consumers and the environment to potential health risks, a new Performance Audit Report on the Regulation of Pesticides in Kenya by the Office of the Auditor-General has revealed
The report, shared on the Auditor-General’s X account on Friday, July 31, 2026,found that the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) conducted only limited pesticide residue studies during the audit period, weakening its ability to detect contamination and guide evidence-based regulatory decisions
“The limited scope constrained the Board’s ability to identify and address pesticide-related health and environmental risks, thereby undermining evidence-based regulatory action,” the Auditor-General’s report states
According to the audit, the Board only conducted three baseline pesticide residue studies on kales, onions and tomatoes in 2024, before carrying out a residue analysis on potatoes in June 2025. The tests covered only four agricultural products across 12 of Kenya’s 47 counties
The audit further established that the Board did not conduct pesticide residue analysis on water or environmental samples such as soil during the period under review, despite the importance of such monitoring in protecting public health and the environment
“The Board had not conducted pesticide residue analysis in water or environmental samples such as soil during the period under review,” the report states
The Auditor-General warned that the limited monitoring programme leaves significant gaps in identifying contamination on agricultural produce, irrigation water and soil, making it difficult for regulators to respond to emerging health and environmental risks
To address the shortcomings, the report recommends the establishment of a continuous national monitoring system
“ThePest Control ProductsBoard should operationalize a continuous and comprehensive pesticide residue monitoring program, including food, water, environmental samples, and fast-track laboratory accreditation to strengthen evidence-based regulation,” the Auditor-General recommends
The report adds that the programme would help “safeguard public health and enable evidence-based environmental management by identifying and quantifying contaminants on agricultural produce, irrigation water, and soil.”
The audit also raised concerns over limited collaboration between the Pest Control Products Board and county governments in regulating pesticide handling facilities
Out of 10 sampled counties, only one worked with the Board by identifying agro-dealer outlets and accompanying inspectors during certification exercises. Only two counties participated in routine inspections, though irregularly, while just one county shared data on licensed premises
“The remaining counties had no engagement with the Board on certification or inspection of facilities,” the report states
To strengthen oversight, the Auditor-General recommended formal coordination mechanisms between the national regulator and county governments
“The Pest Control Products Board should develop formal coordination mechanisms with county governments, including regular data-sharing systems, to strengthen certification oversight and ensure all operating agro-dealers comply with regulatory requirements,” the report recommends
The latest findings build on an earlier performance audit that found illegal, expired, counterfeit and unregistered pesticides continue to enter the Kenyan marketdespite increased inspections and seizures
The Auditor-General previously noted weaknesses in follow-up inspections, border surveillance and enforcement, warning that the gaps continue to expose consumers to unsafe pesticide products despite intensified regulatory operations
Sharon Atieno
View all posts by Sharon Atieno
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