Paper
From Colonial Crop to Local Pride: Remaking the Kenyan Pyrethrum Industry as Cultural Heritage
presenters
Nick Rahier
Nationality: Belgian
Residence: Belgium
KU Leuven / Ghent University
Presence:Face to Face/ On Site
Rose Morara
Nationality: Kenyan
Residence: Kenya
Egerton University
Presence:Face to Face/ On Site
Keywords:
Green Science, Pyrethrum, Kenya, STS, ethnography
Abstract:
Introduced to Kenya in 1928 under British rule for the production of insecticides, pyrethrum quickly became a significant export crop by the time Kenya gained independence in 1963. It supported numerous families in Nakuru and Nyandarua, the primary pyrethrum-producing counties, and this until the 1990s when the industry suffered a decline due to the rise of synthetic alternatives. Today, the Pyrethrum Revival Program is heralded as a "game changer" for its role in promoting sustainable farming practices. Pyrethrin, derived from pyrethrum, has become a key ingredient in the production of organic pesticides, attracting international interest from investors, environmentalists, health advocates, and agribusinesses.
Kenya’s reputation for producing high-quality pyrethrum now positions it to embrace the crop as a significant part of its cultural heritage. This paper examines pyrethrum's transformation from a colonial cash crop to a “modern” solution for sustainable agriculture, highlighting its deep connections with colonial legacies and contemporary environmental challenges. Through ethnographic explorations among farmers and individuals involved in the Revival Program, coupled with archival research, this study traces the industry’s evolution from a tool of colonial subjugation to a symbol of African pride and a home-grown 'green' alternative addressing global challenges. By analysing pyrethrum’s journey and its evolving role, this research contributes to broader discussions about how heritage is continually shaped and reshaped by global and local contexts from an African perspective.