Death of dawa ya mende, panya na wadudu: Streets vendors face closure
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 are on notice.
In an exclusive interview with Nairobi News, PCPB’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Fredrick Muchiri, revealed the board’s response to the widespread sale of dangerous and unregulated pesticides in Kenya.
This initiative is aimed at safeguarding public health and safety, especially for those who purchase these products, some of which are counterfeit and potentially hazardous.
Mr Muchiri acknowledged the presence of unapproved chemicals in the country, with some infiltrating Kenya through its neighboring countries’ borders.
To address this issue, the PCPB has proposed a plan to halt the sale and distribution of cockroaches and rat poisons on the streets.
While street vendors themselves may not be the primary focus of this crackdown, the board is targeting the suppliers as the source of these pesticides.
“We are targeting the source, where these chemicals come from. By addressing that, these unregulated insect pesticides will no longer be seen on the streets,” explained Mr Muchiri.
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He emphasized the need for order and regulation, stating, “A vendor can sell you anything, but now it’s time to stop the indiscriminate sale of chemicals.”
To carry out this operation effectively, the PCPB will collaborate with the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to dismantle the network of rogue traders who are illegally selling these chemicals.
This move by the PCPB follows recent revelations from a local Non-Governmental Organization about the presence of hazardous chemicals, particularly in the agricultural sector. Some of these chemicals, which are used to combat pests and plant diseases, have been banned but continue to be used in the country.
Kirinyaga County was highlighted as one of the regions heavily affected, with farmers using prohibited pesticides without reporting their use. The situation raises concerns about the safety and health of those exposed to these hazardous substances.
The PCPB’s efforts are aimed at ensuring that pest control products are properly regulated and that they do not pose risks to human health, the environment, or public safety.
The crackdown on illegal and unregulated pesticides is part of a broader initiative to enhance public health and safety standards across the country.
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