An overview of biopesticides use and analysis of the Kenyan legal frameworks regulating biocontrol agents: a review

Abstract

Plant pests and diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses and plant-parasitic nematodes continue to cause substantial yield and economic losses on agricultural production systems globally and in Kenya. Management of these diseases has relied heavily on synthetic chemical pesticides; however, extensive use has raised serious concerns related to human health, environmental contamination, pesticide resistance, and compliance with increasingly stringent maximum residue limits in domestic and export markets. Biopesticides have emerged as a viable and sustainable alternative, offering target specificity, biodegradability, and reduced ecological risks. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the types, mechanisms of action, formulation processes, and global development trends of biopesticides, with particular emphasis on microbial agents, botanical extracts, semiochemicals, macrobials, and plant-incorporated protectants. The paper further examines the scientific basis underpinning botanical biopesticides, including the role of plant secondary metabolites and their modes of antimicrobial and nematicidal action. A critical analysis of biopesticide development pipeline from discovery and efficacy evaluation to formulation and commercialization is presented. In addition, the review analyzes the Kenyan legal and institutional frameworks regulating biopesticides, highlighting the roles of the Pest Control Products Board, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, and associated regulatory instruments. While Kenya has comparatively advanced regulatory mechanisms for biopesticide registration within East Africa, challenges persist related to high registration costs, lengthy approval timelines, limited farmer awareness, and formulation constraints. The review identifies key gaps, opportunities, and policy priorities needed to accelerate adoption and commercialization of biopesticides, positioning them as a central pillar of integrated pest management and sustainable agricultural intensification in Kenya and similar agro-ecological contexts.