Themen

Food security should not come at the expense of public health, farmers or the environment. Kenya needs to move beyond dependence on toxic pesticides and invest in farming systems that can nourish people while protecting the ecosystems on which agriculture depends. By Candy Margaret Vizengwa 

How safe is the food on our plates?  New research examining pesticide residues in vegetables commonly consumed in Kenya offers fresh evidence on the state of food safety and practical household methods that can help reduce pesticide residues before consumption. Join us for Food Safety in Kenya: From Evidence to Action as researchers, policymakers, farmers and consumer advocates explore the findings and discuss solutions for building safer food systems.

Pesticides do not simply disappear once they are banned or withdrawn; many persist in the environment for years, accumulating in soil, water, air, and living organisms. These persistent chemicals, including organochlorines and other synthetic compounds, move through food chains via bioaccumulation and biomagnification, posing long-term risks to human health, wildlife, and ecosystems. Evidence from studies in Kenya and across Africa shows that even years after exposure, pesticide residues remain in people, animals, and the environment, highlighting the urgent need for remediation, monitoring, and sustainable pest management practices

At least 220 women and girls were killed in Kenya in 2025, most by people they trusted, and often after seeking help. The Femicide Report 2025 shows that these deaths were not accidents but the result of ignored warning signs, social silence, and systemic failure. Ending femicide requires naming it, tracking it, and acting decisively to protect women before violence becomes fatal.

The US is largely falling away as a partner, China is binding the Global South closer. To help shape tomorrow’s world order, Europe needs new, credible platforms for climate, development, and fair trade rules – together with the emerging middle powers.