Members of the Kenya National Biosafety Authority board and Appeals board went on an in-country biotech study tour on the 22nd February 2016. The tour started at the Kenyatta University biosafety level II laboratory where participants were welcomed by Prof. Paul Okemo, the Dean of graduate studies, who is also a member of the NBA board. Dr. Richard Odour, a Senior Lecturer at Kenyatta University and Secretary General of the Kenya University Biotechnology Consortium (KUBICO), took participant through a presentation on the on-going research at the university and thereafter led them on a tour of the laboratory.
The laboratory visit was highly appreciated by majority of board members who felt reassured that Kenya has the infrastructure needed to adequately conduct research on GMOs. “The structures, the layout of the working space including the transformation and growth chambers section, and the restricted access to the facility qualifies the lab to a level II biosafety lab” said Robert Kilonzo from the Ministry of Public Health and member of the NBA board.
Board members also visited the Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa (VIRCA) project confined field trials at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) in Thika, Central Kenya. Dr. Jessica Mbaka, KALRO Thika Center Director, welcomed participants and stressed the importance of science communication for public acceptance of biotechnology and biosafety. “We need to educate the public on modern biotechnology since fear is mainly from lack of knowledge” she said. Dr. Charles Waturu, the Horticulture Research Institute’s Director received the board members on behalf of KALRO’s Director General and commended efforts by organisers to expose such key stakeholders to the country’s biotechnology and biosafety infrastructure.
At the confined field trials site, the VIRCA project team led by Dr. Simon Gichuki from KALRO gave participants an overview of the cassava project and invited them to examine the crops. For Mrs. Selinah Kibogy, a member of the Appeals board, this was the first time she had ever seen a genetically modified (GM) crop. According to her, the field trip gave a great visual on what they are tasked to make key policy decisions about. “I am glad I got to see GM crops and get first-hand information from the researchers” she said. Mrs Kibogy also lauded the VIRCA project for building the country’s human capacity. “The fact that the project involved two PhD students means that there will be some continuity after completion,” she added.
The tour was organised by ISAAA AfriCenter and the National Biosafety Authority, under the auspices of the Program for Biosafety Systems and the VIRCA project.