Re-posted from Nation Online. Article by Otiatu Guguyu
The Kenyan government will lift the ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in two months, Deputy President William Ruto has said.
Mr Ruto on Wednesday said consultations over GMOs had been concluded and that the Cabinet was expected to discuss the issue before allowing GMOs in the country.
“Various government ministries, departments and agencies concerned with biotechnology have already consulted and agreed on the necessary regulations and safety measures to be adhered to so that we can maximise on agricultural production, improve health services, conserve the environment and basically improve the living standards of our people,” he said.
The Deputy President said Kenya would not be left behind as the world adopts biotechnology.
“Scientists, and especially those from the National Biosafety Authority, should be able to confound sceptics. We should be able to tell the public that anything genetically modified is not harmful. Science and technology is what will take us to the next level,” he said.
He made the announcement when he officially opened the annual Bio-Safety Conference at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies in Nairobi.
Kenyan scientists have been pushing for the lifting of the ban on genetically modified foods to help the country fight hunger.
They claim studies and empirical evidence have shown that the products are safe.