Illegal, expired, counterfeit, and unregistered pesticides continue to infiltrate Kenya’s market even as inspections and seizures by the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) have intensified, according to a recent audit by the Office of the Auditor-General.

The audit highlights a significant increase in inspections, with the number of premises checked rising from 6,322 in the 2021/2022 financial year to 11,150 in 2024/2025, a 76% jump. Correspondingly, seizures of non-compliant pesticide products soared from 902 kilograms to 28,617 kilograms during the same period.

Gaps in Enforcement and Follow-Up

Despite these improvements, the audit identified critical shortcomings in the enforcement process. Notably, the PCPB often failed to revoke the licenses of premises found violating regulations, allowing repeat offenses and continued illegal sales. Follow-up inspections, which are crucial to verify if violations have been corrected within 60 days, were inconsistently performed. Only 49% of sampled agro-dealer premises received timely follow-up visits in 2024/2025, with some inspections delayed beyond 90 days.

The audit also found that the PCPB’s annual work plans lack a structured approach to follow-up inspections, weakening oversight of previously non-compliant operators. Additionally, the Board does not maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date database of pesticide dealers and their compliance status, complicating monitoring efforts.

Border Control Weaknesses

At Kenya’s entry points, the audit revealed that only 13 of 30 operational border posts have PCPB officers physically inspecting pesticide consignments. The absence of inspections at the remaining 17 points creates vulnerabilities that allow illegal pesticide products to enter the country undetected.

Recommendations for Strengthened Compliance

The Auditor-General’s report urges the PCPB to:

  • Develop and incorporate a structured follow-up inspection framework into annual work plans.
  • Expand deployment of technical officers to all border posts to enhance import controls.
  • Formalize collaboration with the Anti-Counterfeit Authority to better remove illegal pesticides from the market.

The audit underscores that while increased inspections and seizures are positive steps, they must be complemented by robust follow-up and coordination to achieve sustained compliance and reduce unsafe pesticide practices in Kenya.