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A new study from Egerton University has confirmed the presence of dangerous pesticide residues in potatoes grown in Nyandarua County, one of Kenya’s largest producers.
According to the report, nearly all potato farmers in the area—98.8%—use synthetic pesticides, including chlorpyrifos and fenitrothion. Both chemicals are banned in the European Union and several other countries due to their links to neurological and respiratory health problems.
Crucially, the study found that these chemical residues persist even after cooking. Potatoes tested after boiling, baking, and roasting still contained measurable—and in some cases, excessive—amounts of pesticide residues. Some samples exceeded both European and Codex international safety thresholds.
The findings raise serious concerns about food safety in Kenya’s domestic market, particularly for lower-income consumers who rely on affordable staples like potatoes.
Speaking on social media, residents and observers have confirmed the practice is widespread and deliberate. One user, Washira W. wrote:
“I come from Nyandarua. Every farmer has 2 portions: one for eating, one for selling. The farmer would rather be hanged than eat potatoes from land number two.”
This local admission aligns with the study’s findings: farmers often reserve unsprayed plots for family use while using high volumes of pesticides on produce destined for market.
Another commentator, David Soita Masinde, raised concerns over the broader economic and political implications:
“Could this be tied to Big Pharma’s \$266M lobbying to push chemical use in Africa? Weakening farmers, reducing food security—driving millions to rely on Western aid while profits rise.”
Though the connection to global lobbying efforts remains unproven, the pattern of excessive chemical use and lack of regulation is clear.
The issue also reflects significant gaps in Kenya’s agricultural oversight. The Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) is tasked with regulating pesticide use, but enforcement has been weak. Banned chemicals continue to circulate in the market, often relabelled or sold under export-only classifications.
Farmers in Nyandarua, facing pressure to maximize yields in a competitive market, often resort to combining multiple pesticides and spraying more frequently than guidelines recommend. In some cases, the report found application intervals as short as three days, with up to 12 spray cycles per season.
Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to organophosphate pesticides like chlorpyrifos can impair cognitive development in children and contribute to long-term neurological disorders.
Food safety specialists say the public has little protection from these risks unless urgent action is taken. While organic or controlled farming practices exist, they remain out of reach for most farmers due to cost and limited training.
Calls for reform are growing. Researchers and advocacy groups are urging the government to:
Failure to act, they warn, will only deepen Kenya’s food safety crisis.
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