Maize grain is the second most vital food after wheat to humans and forms an important part of a human diet due to its nutrients. In Kenya, it is estimated that one out of every two acres of land put to crop production is under maize crop. Maize can also be fed whole to livestock (grazed or chopped and ensiled). Due to increased demand and the need for higher productivity, farmers have adopted modern farming methods which include use of fertilizers, pesticides, compost manure, and irrigation. Uses of these products elevate amounts of heavy metals in the soil. Such heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium when taken up by plants accumulate in the plants becoming toxic at high levels. It is essential to monitor these levels in grains and leaves to ensure they do not exceed the WHO permissible limits. This study aimed at monitoring the levels of heavy metals uptake in maize (Zea mays) grains and leaves is within permissible levels. Level of heavy metals in maize grains from different ecological zones in UG County had mean concentration of Zn 0.122, Cd 0.03, Cu 0.111, Co 0.04, and Pb 0.33 mg/kg. These results were below WHO standards except for Cadmium, Co, and Pb which were slightly higher than recommended standard. The study also found that maize leaves had mean concentration of Zn 0.115, Cd 0.04, Cu 0.117, Co. 0.041 and Pb 0.323 mg/kg. The results were below WHO standards except Co and Pb which had slightly higher levels than the recommended WHO standards. The analytical results from this study provided important baseline statistics on the concentration of selected heavy metals in maize grains and leaves besides being an important assessment of environmental pollution in rural areas where maize farming is predominant.

Intensified agricultural activities in Kenya over the past few years has led to an increased and persistent use of fertilizers, pesticides, manure, use of machinery in order to increase yield for economic development and achieve the goals of vision 2030. Large quantities of agrochemicals are regularly added to soils in intensive farming systems to provide adequate nutrients for plant growth. The compounds used to supply these elements contain trace amounts of heavy metals (e.g., Cd and Pb) as impurities, which, after continued fertilizer application may significantly increase their content in the soil. There is need to study impact of intensive use of use of agrochemicals in the farms. Therefore, this study set out to determine the concentrations of the different heavy metals in the soil from agricultural farms of Homa Hills, Homa Bay County. The soil samples were obtained from two agro-ecological zones LM 3 (Lower Midland3) and LM 4 (Lower Midland 4) zone, around the areas of intense maize farming. Six farms in each zone were randomly selected to obtain soil samples. Sampling was done twice; for the dry and wet seasons. Different samples were also collected at two different sampling depths (0-10cm and 11-20cm) for each sampling point. The concentrations of selected heavy metals for each sample were determined using Inductive couple plasma. Data was presented using tables and figures. T-test was used to compare the variation of heavy metal concentration in the different agro-ecological zones and the different sampling depths. The results obtained showed that the mean concentration of Pb,