Aflatoxin has been described as a major food safety Crisis in Kenya with endemic contamination reportedly affecting key staple crops such as Maize, peanuts and dairy products mostly in the Eastern Region.

Statistics Show that more than 50 percent of maize samples in high-risk areas often exceed the national 10 parts per Billion (ppb) limit.

Studies have also shown that up to 97 percent of Maize flour samples having detectable levels leading to frequent severe and fatal aflatoxicosis outbreaks.

As of 2021 research revealed that 51%- 65% of maize samples in some parts of Kenya Particularly Eastern frequently exceeded the 10 parts per Billion regulatory limit.

In 2004 there was an outbreak which remains one of the worst with 317 cases and 125 cases recorded /
Further a recent surveillance conducted between 2021 to 2025 which studied 1255 maize flour samples found 97 % had detectable aflatoxin with 16 percent exceeding the 10-ppb limit.

The most affected crops are Maize, groundnuts & Peanut Butter, Milk and dairy feeds.

The Aflatoxin crisis featured prominently during the annual Cereals and Millers Association Millers association (CMA) annual technical conference and expo 2026 organized by CMA that has brought together over 68 companies that have solutions to aflatoxin and Millers in the two-day event at the Sarit expo centre.

While exhibitors termed it a crisis that deserves action to end it one company, Aflabox Srl came showcasing a solution of aflatoxin in Kenya the first one in Africa.

The Company Aflabox SRL developed a tool that is able to scan using AI and give real time test of aflatoxin from the ground and is portable requiring just the finger to configer the test.

Luca Alinova the CEO of Aflabox SRL said their agri-tech startup specializes in AI-powered UV imaging to detect and reduce aflatoxin contamination in grains.