From February 6-10, the EAC Secretariat, CEJAD, CPSP, and FAO organized a meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, for pesticide registrars from EAC Partner States. The meeting reviewed and adopted the draft EAC regional strategy on Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs). Following adoption by the EAC Technical Working Group (TWG), the strategy now awaits validation from regional stakeholders before formal adoption by EAC decision-making bodies. Once adopted, the strategy will guide the phased-out process of HHPs across Partner States.

The waste management sector is of interest in Kenya due to its large pollution impacts and projected increase in waste generation.

On November 23-24, 2023, CEJAD and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) organized a national dialogue to address the illegal trade in mercury skin lightening creams. The workshop included stakeholders from government agencies, the cosmetics industry, NGOs, and academia.

Miss Dorothy Otieno, Programme Officer at CEJAD discussed the progress of the 3rd Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee and key issues that the plastic treaty should address for it to be effective on NTV Kenya.

CEJAD Kenya held a successful sensitization meeting with the media on the goal to end plastic pollution, with a focus on the comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic. 

On October 24, 2023, during ILPPW, we partnered with the University of Nairobi's Department of Chemistry to raise awareness and conduct training on preventing and managing lead exposure at the community level. Held at Dandora Community Hall, the event drew over 100 participants, including community health volunteers, frontline healthcare providers, and community members. Attendees were educated on household and community-level strategies for lead exposure prevention and management.

During ICCM5 in Bonn, Germany, from September 25-29, 2023, the world adopted the Global Framework on Chemicals, a voluntary instrument aimed at sound management of chemicals and waste. It emphasizes preventing or minimizing harm from chemicals and waste to protect the environment, human health, and vulnerable groups. CEJAD played a pivotal role in advocating for the inclusion of a target to phase out highly hazardous pesticides in agriculture by 2035 where risks are unmanaged and safer alternatives exist.

During the Annual General Meeting and Strategy training in Johannesburg from September 4-8, 2023, members of the Southern African Pesticides Regulators Forum (SAPReF) adopted the draft SADC HHPs Strategy. The meeting was organized by SAPReF and the University of Cape Town (UCT) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Swedish Chemicals Agency (KemI).

From July 24-26, 2023, CEJAD conducted a training workshop in Kakamega on health and safety for the resilient team in the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector. The training, aimed at enhancing self-regulation and reducing accidents and deaths in gold mines, was provided by the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS).