Nairobi, September 22, 2025 — At Sarit Centre, Nairobi, Egerton University took centre stage under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage during the 7th CAC Africa Summit, helping to chart a collaborative path between government regulators, academic research, and agro-chemical firms from China seeking entry into Kenya.
The two-day summit, organized jointly by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (Sub-Council of Chemical Industry, CCPIT CHEM), Kenya’s Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), and Egerton University, aimed at strengthening food security and sustainable agriculture in East Africa.
Over 30 Agro-Chemical companies pitched tent in Nairobi seeking to understand the Kenyan Market and regulatory framework, while seeking strategic co-operations with local distributors and industry players.
Prof. Kibwage emphasised that academic institutions must play a stronger role in assuring safe, scientifically validated agro-chemical use as part of Kenya’s regulatory architecture.
His interventions called for rigorous trials, environmental impact assessments, and research partnerships to ensure products introduced by foreign firms meet Kenya’s ecological and health standards.
The Vice-Chancellor underscored that these policy requirements are critical both for farmer safety and trust in imported agrochemical products.
From Egerton University, a team of key officers stood alongside Prof. Kibwage during the discussions: the Director of Marketing & Resources Mobilization (4th left), Admissions Officer Hudson Kiti (3rd left), Senior Secretary of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office Ms. Beth Arungo (2nd left), ICT Officer Ms. Susan Mbanda (3rd right), University driver Mr. Kaiboi (2nd right), and Mr. Aminga from the Vice-Chancellor’s staff (right).
Their presence illustrated how stakeholders at all levels—from administration to technical support—are involved as the university mobilizes to respond to emerging agrochemical innovations and regulatory demands.
One major theme of the Summit was navigating the registration process for agro-inputs in Kenya and the East African region. The event provided detailed sessions on documents required, timelines, regulatory compliance, safety and environmental testing, and market readiness.
Prof. Kibwage repeatedly urged Chinese agro-chemical firms to work with local universities for product testing, regulatory review, and adaptation to Kenyan agro-ecological zones.
In addition, Prof. Kibwage highlighted the necessity for policy coherence among government bodies to avoid bottlenecks in approval, while ensuring public health and environmental protection are never compromised.
He asserted that academia must not just support regulatory compliance, but also capacity building—training students, extension officers, and farmers on responsible usage, resistance management, and sustainable agrochemical application.
As China-Kenya cooperation deepens, the Summit has become a critical platform for aligning priorities among regulators, researchers, and industry.
Under Prof. Kibwage’s leadership, Egerton University has positioned itself at the nexus of innovation, policy and safety, seeking to ensure that agrochemical introductions from abroad deliver real value—improved yields, safer environments, and stronger food security for Kenya and beyond.
