January 22, 2026
The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) initiated a targeted in-house training program for its Import, Export, and Border Control (IEBC) inspectors recently at its headquarters in Karen. This two-day event extended into a practical field session, reinforcing KEPHIS’s mandate to safeguard plant health and facilitate safe international trade. The training addresses pressing compliance needs in Kenya’s vital horticulture sector, which drives significant export revenues.
Sessions discussed certification protocols for high-value avocado exports targeting China, India, and Malaysia, where stringent phytosanitary standards govern market access. Participants reviewed vapour heat treatment and hot water treatment techniques essential for fruit shipments to Jordan and the European Union, ensuring pest-free produce meets global buyer specifications. Inspectors also scrutinized the audit toolkit for certifying farms, packhouses, and handling facilities, pinpointing compliance gaps like inadequate pest management or documentation shortfalls.
Discussions highlighted recurring hurdles, including evolving pest risks, fluctuating treatment efficacy under local conditions, and resource constraints in remote facilities. Trainees explored mitigation strategies, such as enhanced monitoring and technology integration, to sustain certifications amid intensifying scrutiny from import authorities.
These efforts counter recent sector pressures, like rising costs and regulatory levies, positioning Kenya to retain its edge in floriculture and horticulture exports. This initiative enhances Kenya’s capacity to penetrate and maintain key markets, where horticulture makes a substantial contribution to the GDP and employs over 200,000 people.
It’s through aligning with international standards that KEPHIS empowers inspectors to minimize rejections, cut post-harvest losses, and support smallholder integration into global supply chains. As East Africa’s floriculture hub, Kenya benefits from such proactive measures, as evidenced by recent EU approvals for new ornamental varieties and ongoing sustainability efforts aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.