Inside the newly passed Plant Protection Bill and how it will affect Kenyans
Members of the National Assembly on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, passed the Plant Protection Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 28 of 2025), paving the way for a new legal framework to protect Kenya’s agriculture from plant pests and diseases. The legislation will replace the Plant Protection Act, Cap. 324, which the Departmental Committee on Agriculture […]
On August 12, 2026, the National Assembly of Kenya passed the Plant Protection Bill, replacing the outdated Plant Protection Act. This new legislation aims to bolster Kenya's plant health and biosecurity system while facilitating plant movement and trade. A key provision designates the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) as the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), enhancing compliance with international standards and opening overseas markets for Kenyan exports.
KEPHIS will manage various aspects, including border surveillance, plant health inspections, seed certification, and quarantine controls. The legislation also outlines requirements for importing and exporting plants, plant products, and other regulated articles, with penalties for non-compliance. The framework covers transboundary and migratory pests, pest-free areas, quarantine stations, and early-warning systems.
County governments will handle local pest reporting, surveillance, and enforcement, while the national government oversees policy direction and capacity building. The Bill establishes a National Plant Health Emergency Response Committee to coordinate during plant health emergencies and allows for the establishment of county-level emergency response committees.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
