Faida Coffee Expo organiser Priscilla Muchira (left) with Kenya Seeds Company chairperson Wangui Ngirici during a coffee expo held at Kianduma in Kirinyaga/ ALICE WAITHERA



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Coffee farmers in Kirinyaga County have urged the government to regulate the sale of agro-chemicals and crack down on traders selling unlicensed products.

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Farmers warn that continued use of hazardous chemicals poses serious health risks, harms the environment, and is contributing to declining coffee yields and market rejections.

They also say some cooperatives are failing to secure certification for their produce, locking farmers out of premium markets.

The concerns were raised during a coffee expo held at Kiandumu in Gichugu Constituency, which brought together farmers, agronomists, researchers, and traders.

Alloise Muriithi, chairperson of Karithathi Coffee Cooperative Society, said many farmers unknowingly use dangerous chemicals due to a lack of training and reliable information—a gap that rogue traders exploit.

“Some farmers have lost buyers after their coffee failed quality and safety tests. This is not because they are careless, but because they are misled by traders selling unapproved pesticides,” he said.

Muriithi blamed weak regulation and poor enforcement by government agencies for allowing harmful and sometimes fake pesticides to flood the market.

He called on authorities to intensify inspections, close unlicensed agrochemical outlets, and prosecute traders dealing in counterfeit or banned products.

Prolonged exposure to highly hazardous pesticides has been linked to serious long-term health complications, including cancer, skin conditions, and respiratory diseases, which can develop months or years after exposure. Farmers said many applicators handle chemicals without protective gear, putting themselves and their families at greater risk.

Priscilla Muchira, organiser of the Faida Coffee Expo, said misuse of substandard pesticides has affected production and earnings, leaving farmers with poor-quality cherries and low returns.

“Farmers are struggling because these chemicals affect flowering, berry development, and ultimately the quality of coffee,” she said. “We organised this expo to educate farmers on safe pest control options and to push regulators to act firmly against unscrupulous traders.”

Muchira urged the Pest Control Products Board to conduct sustained crackdowns across the county, noting that sporadic enforcement has failed to deter illegal dealers.

Coffee farmer Mugo Wagikombe suggested that the government set aside land for chemical trials to ensure products meet safety and effectiveness standards before approval for use.

Kenya Seed Company chairperson Wangui Ngirichi, who attended the expo, said addressing the pesticide challenge requires a coordinated approach involving health, agriculture, and environmental authorities.

“These chemicals pose a real danger not only to farmers but also to consumers. Farmers must be vigilant when purchasing agro-chemicals, but the bigger responsibility lies with regulators to protect citizens by taking legal action against those behind this harmful trade,” she said.

The concerns come amid rising cancer cases in Kirinyaga, which health officials have partly linked to environmental and occupational exposure, including unsafe use of farm chemicals.

Kirinyaga is among the country’s leading coffee-producing counties. In the 2024-25 season, the county recorded increased production and earnings, with several factories paying farmers between Sh100 and Sh147 per kilogramme.

Farmers fear that unless the pesticide issue is addressed, these gains could be reversed. They are urging authorities to tighten controls, expand training, and safeguard both livelihoods and public health.

At the national level, the government has banned and restricted several highly hazardous pesticides under international conventions, citing risks to human health, pollinators, and the environment. However, enforcement challenges persist, with banned chemicals still entering the market through informal distribution networks and porous borders.