The government has lifted the ban on Genetically Modified crops (GMO) after a ten-year suspension.
This means farmers will be allowed to cultivate and import food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology.
Moreover, the decision to lift the ban on GMO was arrived at on Monday, October 3, following the Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto.
Moreover, the Cabinet approved the cultivation and importation of White GMO maize.
According to a dispatch from State House, the Cabinet considered a broad array of proposals touching on climate change adaptation.
Nonetheless the government enforced, the ban on GMO imports in 2012 after a presidential decree by the late former President Mwai Kibaki.
Moreover, Kibaki’s decree came following recommendations by the then Minister for Public Health Beth Mugo.
Mugo cited a study by a French University linking cancer in rats to the consumption of GM foods.
In addition, the findings of the research were backed by the Kenya Medical Research Institute.
Moreover, in April 2022, United States government complained about Kenya’s unwillingness to lift the ban noting that the move was restricting its exports.
Likewise, according to the annual report filed by the US Trade Representative, the approval by Kenya could boost agricultural purchases from the US which is the world’s biggest producer of GMO crops.
In addition, ban on GMO crops had restricted the sales of products from US companies, which have been seeking potential new markets like Kenya.
“Kenya’s GE ban has blocked both US government food aid and agricultural exports derived from agricultural biotechnology,” the USTR stated in its annual trade barriers list published in late March.
Furthermore, Kenya has been hesitant about approving the importation or planting of genetically modified food crops since November 2012. This is due to the endless ongoing debate on the safety of GMO crops. The main concerns on the effects of these crops on health are the transfer of antibiotic resistance, toxicity and allergenicity.
However, the move to lift the ban on GMO crops which are said to have advantages like resistance to drought, pests, and higher yields come during a time when the country faces a serious drought crisis.
According to dispatch from the Cabinet, the decision was arrived at following recommendations of the Task Force to Review Matters Relating to Genetically Modified Foods and Food Safety, and in fidelity with the guidelines of the National Biosafety Authority on all applicable international treaties including the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB).
“In accordance with the recommendation of the Task Force to Review Matters Relating to Genetically Modified Foods and Food Safety, and in fidelity with the guidelines of the National Biosafety Authority on all applicable international treaties including the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB), Cabinet vacated its earlier decision of 8th November, 2012 prohibiting the open cultivation of genetically modified crops and the importation of food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology innovations; effectively lifting the ban on Genetically Modified Crops. By dint of the executive action open cultivation and importation of White (GMO) Maize is now authorized,” part of the statement from the cabinet’s office reads.
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Nevertheless, lifting the ban on GMO crops is part of Kenya’s medium to long-term response to the ongoing drought.
It is also an advanced step towards redefining agriculture in Kenya by adopting crops that are resistant to pests and disease.
This move is further meant to help reduce the cost of animal feeds as well as the pressure on maize meant for human consumption.
