PCPB General Manager for Compliance and Enforcement Lawrence Kalawa displays fake pesticides. Photo Courtesy 
By Our Embu Reporter
The Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) has seized counterfeit and unregistered pesticides valued at more than Sh600,000 in a sweeping raid across Embu, Meru, and Tharaka Nithi counties, marking a significant step in the fight against illegal agrochemicals.
The crackdown, part of a nationwide initiative to curb the circulation of unsafe pest control products, targeted both agricultural and household pesticides suspected of containing hazardous chemicals. These products pose serious threats to human health, livestock, and crop productivity.
Speaking in Embu following the operation, PCPB’s General Manager for Compliance and Enforcement, Lawrence Kalawa, raised alarm over the increasing presence of illegal and smuggled pesticides in local markets.
He cautioned that the low-cost, unauthorized products often contain banned or highly toxic substances, endangering users and damaging soil quality.
“This planting season, we are intensifying our efforts to protect farmers from counterfeit products that destroy crops instead of safeguarding them. These illegal pesticides are a real danger to food security,” Kalawa said.
He urged farmers to be especially vigilant during the ongoing short rains season, a time when the demand for pesticides spikes and unscrupulous dealers exploit the market with fake products for quick profits.
Kalawa advised farmers to buy pest control products exclusively from PCPB-registered agro-vet shops, where genuine products are clearly marked with official safety stickers to confirm their certification.
He also issued a stern warning to traders involved in the sale of illegal pesticides, affirming that the board will not hesitate to prosecute offenders.
“We will not relent in protecting Kenyans from harmful chemicals. Anyone found selling unauthorized pesticides will face the full force of the law,” he declared.
The operation underscores PCPB’s continued commitment to ensuring that only safe, high-quality pest control products reach the market, thereby safeguarding public health and supporting the sustainability of Kenya’s agricultural sector.
