Potatoes remain Kenya’s second most important food crop after maize, sustaining an estimated 2.5 million people and valued at close to US $500 million annually, but the sector has struggled with persistently low yields and recurring pest pressures, most notably the potato cyst nematode (PCN). This microscopic parasite, first confirmed in Kenya just over a decade ago, has spread widely in key potato-growing regions, reducing productivity by up to 80 percent and threatening household incomes as well as national food security.
In response, Kenya has taken a significant step with the approval of two new potato varieties, Malaika and Glen, developed at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland in partnership with the University of St Andrews, CGIAR centers, Kenyan regulators, and private sector actors. Both varieties are resistant to PCN, making them the first of their kind to be officially listed in Kenya’s National Variety List.
The release of Malaika and Glen represents years of cross-border research and testing. Alongside the James Hutton Institute and St Andrews, the initiative brought together the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the International Potato Center (CIP), the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), and Seeds2B. This broad collaboration ensured that the varieties were not only technically sound but also evaluated under Kenya’s regulatory framework and farming conditions.
The varieties have been designed with farmer priorities in mind. Traits such as low dormancy allow tubers to be replanted quickly after harvest, while fast cooking times reduce household fuel costs. These practical considerations are critical for uptake among smallholders, who account for the majority of potato producers.
Currently, less than 10 percent of Kenyan farmers use certified seed, relying instead on saved or informal tubers that often carry diseases and pests. To address this, the rollout of Malaika and Glen will involve partnerships with Kisima Seeds, a leading local seed company, for multiplication and commercialization. Distribution will also leverage the Syngenta Foundation’s network of farmer hubs, designed to make clean seed accessible to smallholders.
This seed system strategy is as important as the varieties themselves. Without reliable multiplication and dissemination, PCN resistance will remain confined to demonstration plots and large-scale farms, leaving the bulk of growers exposed.
The potential benefits are considerable. By limiting losses from PCN, the new varieties could safeguard thousands of jobs linked to the potato value chain, from farming to processing and retail. Stable supply also supports Kenya’s expanding food service sector, which relies heavily on potatoes for chips and other fast-food staples. At a national level, improved yields reduce pressure on imports and strengthen food security at a time when climate variability continues to destabilize cereal harvests.
However, experts caution that resistant varieties are not a silver bullet. PCN management requires integrated approaches, including crop rotation, soil health management, and farmer education. There is also the risk that overreliance on a few resistant varieties could lead to resistance breakdown if not carefully managed.
Kenya’s approval of Malaika and Glen has significance beyond its borders. East Africa faces rising food insecurity driven by erratic rainfall, pests, and limited access to high-quality seed. Successful rollout of these varieties could serve as a model for how international research partnerships can deliver practical tools for farmers while strengthening national seed systems.