NAIVASHA, Kenya – Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has appealed to Kenyans not to fear consuming Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Y News understands that in October 2022, the Kenyan Cabinet lifted a decade-long ban on the cultivation and importation of GM crops and animal feeds.
Against this background, CS Kagwe assured Kenyans that the government has put in place a robust biosafety regulatory and institutional framework.
“This is through the National Biotechnology Development Policy and the Biosafety Act and Regulations to ensure safe development, handling and transfer of Genetically Modified Organisms,” said CS Kagwe.
The CS spoke when he presided over the 13th Annual Biosafety Conference at Sawela Lodges in Naivasha, Nakuru County. This year’s theme is 13 Years Later: Building Trust and Ensuring the Safety of Genetically Modified Organisms.
The conference was organised by the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) to promote public awareness and education on biosafety matters and discuss new developments in biotechnology and biosafety, as mandated by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Biosafety Act.
Why the Kenyan government lifted GMO products
According to CS Kagwe, the decision to lift the ban on GMOs was consistent with the findings of various studies that determined that there are robust policy, legal, and regulatory institutional structures in Kenya to ensure responsible and safe applications of modern biotechnologies.
“This decision aimed to address food security challenges exacerbated by prolonged droughts and to enhance agricultural productivity through biotechnology,” the CS added.
Following this decision, CS Kagwe said that several litigations have emerged, which appear to derail the adoption of modern biotechnologies by communities who are desirous of new innovations to tackle various production constraints like pests, drought, weeds and diseases.
Speaking at the same time, the Authority’s acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nehemiah Ng’etich, said that globally, the biotechnology sphere continues to make huge strides, and Kenya has not been left behind.
“We want to create a biosafe nation built on trust, safety and public awareness while promoting food safety in the country. We gather not just to reflect on 13 years of biosafety regulation but also to brainstorm on how modern biotechnology can serve our people better and secure our future as a nation,” said the acting CEO.
Y News knows that the NBA was established by the Biosafety Act Cap 320 to exercise general supervision and control over the transfer, handling and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
What are some of the milestones that the NBA has achieved
According to Ng’etich, the Authority has made several milestones over the years, among them the establishment of a GMO Testing laboratory in June 2022 at the NACOSTI Building and the allocation of approximately 5 acres of land at the Kabete Vetlands for the construction of the Headquarters and which will also host a state-of-the-art molecular reference laboratory.
The Authority recently launched its strategic plan 2023-2027, which has eight Key Result Areas (KRAs) to help it achieve its mandate.
“The public continues to be sceptical about GMOs due to widespread misinformation and fear. To address this challenge, we have embarked on public awareness campaigns across the country in various counties to sensitise Kenyans on our role as a regulator of GMOs,” Ng’etich explained.
As Kenya continues to make strides in biotechnology, Ng’etich indicated that the Authority will continuously ensure the fast-tracking and adaptation of all the biotechnological advancements.
On his part, NBA Board of Directors Chairperson Prof. Jenesio Kinyamario disclosed that the Authority has so far approved several GMO crops, such as Bt cotton, which was commercialised in 2020, Bt maize and virus-resistant cassava, both of which have been approved for environmental release and are currently undergoing National Performance Trials in various parts of the country.
Why does the government appreciate the use of modern biotechnology
Other approved GMOs under field trials include: Virus Resistant Sweet potato in Kakamega, Biofortified cassava at Alupe in Busia County, late blight-resistant Irish potato at Molo in Nakuru County, Muguga (Kiambu County) and Njambini (Nyandarua County), drought-tolerant maize and the African Biofortified Sorghum (ABS) in Kiboko, Makueni County.
“In terms of animal research, the Authority has approved field trials for testing GM vaccines for the control of Rift Valley Fever disease in cattle, goats, sheep and camels,” explained the chairman.
Meanwhile, CS Kagwe reiterated that the government appreciates the use of modern biotechnology as a powerful tool that can support its agenda of improving productivity across value chains and at the same time building resilience to the effects of climate change.
“The agriculture sector continues to be integral in achieving Kenya Vision 2030 goals and advancing the government’s bottom-up economic transformational agenda (BETA) plan on food security,” said the CS.
“My Ministry will continue to support efforts to strengthen the Authority’s regulatory capacity on GMOs through budgetary support and the ongoing review of the Biosafety Act of 2009 to enable it to tap into the new areas of emerging technologies which is aligned to the newly launched NBA Strategic Plan 2023-2027,” assured CS Kagwe.
The event was also attended by the Principal Secretary, State Department for Agriculture, Dr. Paul Ronoh.
