Kenya launches smart surveillance to combat aflatoxins in food systems

The initiative, part of the RECLAIM-KE Project, was officially unveiled during the Kick-Off Meeting on Aflatoxin Surveillance and Management held at the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) headquarters in Nairobi.

KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari highlighted the urgency of broadening regulatory focus beyond formal markets.

“We are keen to ensure that rejected or substandard grains do not spill into informal markets or reach our schools. Every Kenyan deserves food that is both safe and of high quality,” she said.

Dr. Chris Wamalwa, the Chairperson of the National Standards Council, stressed the importance of collaborative action, stating that “this war cannot be won by KEBS alone. That’s why we’re working hand-in-hand with academia, industry, farmers, and enforcement agencies. Prevention must start at the source—long before a product reaches the shelf.”

Representing the private sector, Ms. Paloma Fernandes (OGW), CEO of the Cereal Millers Association, reaffirmed industry’s shared responsibility.

“Food safety is non-negotiable. It is the one promise every producer must make—and keep. We are encouraged by the government’s willingness to partner with us in strengthening the entire value chain.”

From a scientific standpoint, Dr. Patrick Njage, Senior Scientist at the Technical University of Denmark, highlighted the cutting-edge innovations underpinning the initiative.

“This is not just about removing toxins—it’s about predictive science. With AI, genomic tools, and microbial interventions, we can prevent outbreaks before they begin and build lasting capacity for Kenya’s food safety future.”

This ambitious project underscores Kenya’s commitment to safeguarding public health, enhancing food safety, and protecting livelihoods—particularly in the informal sector, where unsafe food often escapes regulatory oversight.