The Pest Control Board in partnership with officers from the Directorate of criminal investigations detectives (DCI) have launched operations to weed out unregistered pesticides from the Kenyan market.
This has been prompted by increased selling of substandard pesticides across the country to unsuspecting wananchi around the cities and towns in Kenya.
Four traders were arrested after a joint search operation was conducted yesterday at the Tom Mboya monument along Moi Avenue within Nairobi CBD.
The four suspects were arrested after they were found selling the said unregistered pesticides christened ‘PEST MAX’.
They include Watson Mwangi Macharia and James Mwangi. Others included Peris wanjiku wainaina and Alberta Barbra Odhiambo. The four suspects were taken to custody at Central Police Station.
Additionally, the seized products including the vehicle they were using were secured as exhibits.
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The suspects now await arraignment on Monday where they will face the charge of selling unlawful pest control products, contrary to the law.
The Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) has taken a significant step in regulating the sale of pest control products, and street vendors selling cockroach and rat poisons have been put on notice.
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In 2023 the government through the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) revealed a strategy on how they would respond to the widespread sale of dangerous and unregulated pesticides in Kenya.
This move by the PCPB followed revelations from a local Non-Governmental Organization about the presence of hazardous chemicals, particularly in the agricultural sector.
In relation to this, Kirinyaga County was highlighted as one of the regions heavily affected with several cases of farmers using prohibited pesticides reported in the past.
The situation raised concerns about the safety and health of those exposed to these hazardous substances.
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To carry out this operation effectively, the PCPB intends to collaborate with the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and DCI.
The sight of pesticides vendors is common along major streets and estates of Nairobi. Vendors carry their products promoted as effective solutions to weed out cockroaches with the target being residents faced with influx of the insects in their houses.
