Uasin Gishu Woman Representative Gladys Boss Shollei has presented a petition in Parliament to have the use of harmful herbicides and pesticides banned.
According to Shollei, the products have already been withdrawn from the market in the United States and European markets.
“The petition calls for the withdrawal or removal from market pesticides and herbicides totalling 262 that has been found to be harmful to the environment and they cause diseases such as cancer and endocrine disruption,” she said.
Shollei spoke to the press in Eldoret town on Monday.
She reiterated that she is not asking the government to set up a task force but to withdraw those products that have proven to be harmful.
“These are products have already been withdrawn from the market in the United States of America and European market, why is Kenya still selling them,” added Shollei.
She noted that if the petition is approved, it will ensure that harmful chemicals are not brought to the country, and prohibit customs from clearing such chemicals.
She condemned Kenya Plant health inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for the sale of harmful pesticides and herbicides since they are the licensing agencies.
The MP said assertions fronted by manufacturers that the users must wear protective gear before using the chemicals does not work in Kenya where most of the users are small scale farmers and live in or below the poverty line.
Shollei called on Kenyans to reject the products and refrain from using them.
#hivisasaoriginal