Tests in Kiambu Reveal Pesticide Risks in Vegetables

In Summary

• Kiambu County is tightening food safety measures after tests showed some vegetables carry pesticide residues near or above safe levels.
• Majority of samples met standards, but risky farming and handling practices remain a concern.
• GAIN and county departments are partnering under the “Vegetables for All” project to support safer farming, trading, and policy reforms.

Kiambu County is stepping up efforts to ensure vegetables consumed by residents are both safe and nutritious, following results from Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) tests conducted under the “Vegetables for All” project in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).

The tests, analyzed at CropNut laboratories, examined samples from local farms, open-air markets, and ‘Mama Mboga’ stalls across the county. Findings, shared during a county feedback session, showed that while most vegetables met international food safety standards, some contained pesticide residues close to or above recommended levels.

“Our families deserve food that nourishes rather than harms them,” said Chief Officer of Crop Production, Irrigation and Marketing, Mr. Benson Njoroge. “This programme is not just about detecting risks but about working with farmers and traders to adopt safer practices that guarantee trust in what we eat.”

The concerns reflect a broader national issue. A 2020 Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) survey found that 46 percent of vegetables in local markets contained pesticide residues, with 11 percent exceeding legal safety thresholds. A separate FAO/WHO study revealed that 30–40 percent of vegetables sampled in Nairobi and Kiambu exceeded limits, with kales, spinach, and tomatoes most affected.

GAIN, which has been shaping food safety agendas across Kenya, is also supporting legislative reforms in Mombasa, Machakos, and Kiambu counties to strengthen safe handling, storage, and sale of vegetables.

“Science must guide food safety,” said Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director of GAIN. “If we fail to act on evidence, unsafe food will continue to undermine nutrition and health. Our work with counties like Kiambu is about embedding scientific rigor into everyday food systems.”