The long-standing ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Kenya has finally been lifted marking a historic moment in Kenya’s agri-biotech development. The Kenyan Government, through a Cabinet decision, has today (3/10/2022) lifted the ban to allow efficient adoption of approved biotech crops and importation of GM foods. The Cabinet, by lifting the ban, has further authorized open cultivation and importation of white GMO maize.
In arriving at the decision to vacate the ban, the Cabinet considered various expert and technical reports on adoption of biotechnology; including reports of the Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA), World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United States of America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
The lifting of the ban was also informed by the recommendations of the Task Force appointed to review matters relating to genetically modified foods and their safety. The Government acted “in fidelity with the guidelines of the National Biosafety Authority on all applicable international treaties including the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB)” to vacate 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.”
In December 2019, the Government approved commercialization of Bt cotton as it sought to revitalize the underperforming cotton sub-sector.
“That earlier approval by Cabinet sought to revamp production of textiles, apparel, feed, and oil-industries towards the realization of the industrialization; and today’s Cabinet decision builds on it and also extends its benefits to other agricultural and manufacturing sectors,” said the Cabinet
This major development heralds a new dawn in crop biotech research and development. The Government is banking on GM crops as part of its wider plans to revamp agriculture and improve food security in the face of drought and other effects of climate change.