The Kenyan government has proposed an environmental release and market placement of genetically modified (Bt) maize varieties. Picture of a man in a maize field used for illustration. Photo: Getty Images. Source: Getty Images GMOs were banned by the late President Mwai Kibaki’s administration in 2012, with the prohibition upheld during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure.
However, the Kenya Kwanza administration lifted the ban through a Cabinet decision on October 3, 2022, which was officially gazetted on October 26, 2022. . Are GMO maize varieties safe?
The National Biosafety Authority (NBA), in collaboration with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), has announced receiving an application for the open cultivation and commercialization of Bt maize.
NBA stated that the maize is designed to resist destructive pests like maize stem borers and fall armyworms, offering farmers the potential for increased yields, better grain quality, and reduced reliance on insecticides. However, NBA stated that comprehensive safety assessment are underway to ensure the Bt maize is safe for human and animal consumption and does not pose risks to the environment.
“In line with Kenya’s Biosafety Act of 2009, NBA is currently assessing this Bt maize to ensure that it is safe for human and animal consumption as well as being safe to our environment.
The safety assessment process is being undertaken in collaboration with other Government Agencies and Biosafety experts to ensure that the Bt maize is as safe as other cultivated non-GMO maize varieties grown by farmers,” NBA said in a public notice. NBA calls for public participation
The authority has opened a 30-day public consultation period to gather input from stakeholders and citizens. “Before making a decision on the application, the Authority now seeks public inputs on the proposed environmental release or open cultivation and placement on the market of Bt maize varieties in Kenya.
Members of the public are invited to submit their comments in writing within 30 days of this announcement,” NBA announced. Members of the public are invited to submit their comments via email, postal mail, or in-person visits to NBA offices.
by Elijah Ntongai
