Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation Tool Validation Workshop Held To Assist KEPHIS With Phytosanitary Systems

Nairobi – KEPHIS, stakeholders and development partners met today to validate the Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation(PCE) tool. PCE brings together national stakeholders to assist countries identify strengths and weaknesses in their phytosanitary systems and countries can use this process to develop their own national phytosanitary capacity development strategy. KEPHIS made a request to undertake the phytosanitary evaluation and this has been developed with the assistance of the International Plant Protection Convention(IPPC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) and comes on the back of various challenges of pests that Kenya has gone through.
In a speech read on his behalf, the PS State Department of Plant Protection and Food Safety Directorate noted that worldwide, there was the challenge of the movement of plants, hence the challenge of the spread of pests and Kenya was no exception. There was therefore need of an evaluation hence the PCE exercise and proposed effective solutions. He noted that various stakeholders with expertise have provided their input and the outcome of the process is comprehensive and is reflective of the phytosanitary system in Kenya. “We are examining the capacity to address the gaps and this exercise is important as it gives visibility on what we do”, he said.

KEPHIS MD Prof. Theophilus Mutui noted that KEPHIS benefited from the last 2 PCEs whose findings advised the review of KEPHIS legal framework by a complete overhaul of the Plant Protection Act, Cap 324, that yielded the draft Plant Protection bill and regulations and the development of the PhytosanitaryPpolicy. “This clearly demonstrates the impact of the findings of the PCE exercise” he stated.
The PCE assessment considered 13 modules which cover all the aspects of KEPHIS as Kenya’s NPPO in view of identification of the existing gaps in the phytosanitary capacity. The evaluation identified some key outputs that upon implementation, will strengthen the phytosanitary system for the protection of member state plant health and biodiversity, enhance safe trade, income and contribute to food security.
The PCE is for five years and is linked to the KEPHIS Strategic Plan.
Three PCE missions have been conducted in Kenya with the participation of relevant stakeholders to identify weaknesses of the phytosanitary system and suggest possible solutions to gaps for enhancing the phytosanitary capacity of the country.