Kalro urges nationwide adoption of aflasafe to combat deadly aflatoxin contamination in food
KALRO chairman Dr Thuo Mathenge addressing the participants. Photo/Courtesy.
By WMW
Kenya is facing a persistent and potentially deadly food safety challenge linked to aflatoxin contamination, experts have warned, calling for urgent nationwide adoption of scientific solutions to protect public health and strengthen food security.
Speaking during the 2nd KALRO Scientific Conference and Innovation Expo, the Chairman of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) Board, Dr. Thuo Mathenge, cautioned that aflatoxins remain a major threat to both human and animal health, despite years of awareness and intervention efforts.
“Mahindi bila Aflasafe si safe!” Dr. Mathenge said, emphasizing the need for farmers to adopt preventive technologies in maize production.
He warned that aflatoxins are linked to severe health complications, including liver cancer, weakened immunity, stunted growth in children, and reduced livestock productivity. He further noted that Kenya continues to grapple with contamination risks that have previously led to fatalities in parts of Eastern Kenya, underscoring the urgency of sustained intervention.
According to Dr. Mathenge, the danger is not confined to isolated outbreaks but remains a widespread public health concern due to continued exposure through staple foods such as maize, sorghum and groundnuts.
To address the challenge, KALRO has developed Aflasafe KE01, a biological control product designed to reduce aflatoxin contamination by up to 98 percent. The innovation works by preventing the growth of toxin-producing fungi in crops, thereby improving food safety and reducing health risks.
Dr. Mathenge said the technology represents a major scientific breakthrough that not only protects consumers but also improves farmers’ access to markets by ensuring compliance with food safety standards required locally and internationally.
He stressed, however, that the biggest challenge remains awareness and adoption, particularly among smallholder farmers who form the bulk of Kenya’s agricultural sector. He called for stronger collaboration between government institutions, policymakers and the media to accelerate uptake of the innovation.
Dr. Mathenge urged the Chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Livestock to champion legislative efforts aimed at scaling up adoption of Aflasafe, including considering a motion to make its use mandatory in maize production systems.
He also appealed to the media to intensify public education campaigns on the dangers of aflatoxins and the availability of preventive solutions, noting that informed farmers and consumers are key to eliminating the threat.
Beyond aflatoxin control, the KALRO Board Chairman highlighted additional innovations aimed at transforming agriculture and improving resilience in the face of climate change. Among them is the Tajirika cassava variety, a drought-tolerant and disease-resistant crop developed to enhance food security and farmer incomes.
Dr. Mathenge said the cassava variety has the potential to double yields and can be processed into flour and starch, offering Kenya an opportunity to reduce reliance on imported starch products while strengthening local agro-processing industries.
He noted that innovations such as Aflasafe KE01 and Tajirika cassava demonstrate the critical role of agricultural research in driving productivity, improving nutrition and building resilient farming systems.
Experts at the conference echoed the need for increased investment in agricultural innovation, extension services and farmer education to ensure that scientific breakthroughs translate into real impact at the grassroots level.
They observed that despite the availability of proven technologies, adoption rates remain low due to limited awareness, cost barriers and inadequate policy enforcement.
KALRO officials emphasized that scaling up these innovations could significantly reduce health risks, improve crop quality and open up new market opportunities for Kenyan farmers, especially in export markets where food safety standards are stringent.
The conference concluded with a renewed call for collaboration among researchers, policymakers, private sector actors and farmers to accelerate the adoption of science-based solutions in agriculture.
Dr. Mathenge reiterated that Kenya’s food future depends on embracing innovation, warning that failure to act decisively on aflatoxin control could continue to endanger millions of lives.
By promoting technologies such as Aflasafe KE01 and improved crop varieties like Tajirika cassava, stakeholders believe Kenya can move closer to achieving safer food systems, stronger agricultural markets and improved national health outcomes.
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