Nakuru Senator James Mungai has called for urgent steps to bring back pyrethrum farming from collapsing.
Speaking on Monday while briefing media in Nakuru, Mungai noted that the crop had declined due to harsh rules and an unfair playing ground. The senator called for the liberalisation of the pyrethrum market and blamed "colonial rules" for the crisis.
He announced that he would sponsor a motion in the Senate to free the sector from unfair rules and attract more investors. Mungai said there was need to free up the sector and give farmers more options on where to sell their produce.
"In the 80s, the pyrethrum sector was earning the country billions of shillings but this has changed, with farmers opting for different crops," he said.
The senator said the number of farmers growing the crop is declining by the day.
"Due to its low returns, the number of farmers involved in the production has reduced while the young generation is not interested," he said.