The 10 year ban on cultivation of genetically modified crops was recently lifted this October by the government.

Extreme drought is ravaging about 23 counties and the need for food mitigation measures is crucial now more than ever. According to the Kenya demographic Survey  around 4.5 million Kenyans are facing starvation. Part of the reason of the ban lift is to ensure food security for some of the most vulnerable in Kenya. The government and relevant duty bearers must be put to task to ensure that those without that choice, as GMOs will be what their pockets can afford, are also consuming GMO products that meet safety standards and quality. 

For the past twelve years scientists have been developing genetically modified seeds under confined field trials. Genetically modified crops and products could be a stop gap measure in alleviating food scarcity. The lifting of the ban needs to be backed by verifiable scientific evidence as to the safety of GMO foods and products as a safe choice. 

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has underscored that the importation of GMO foods and products would paralyze the maize farming sector.

"Furthermore, the ministry should cease the issuance of the gazette notice to allow the importation of 10 million duty-free bags or any other amount of bags in the country. We call upon the government to cease the importation of maize into the country," he said. 

As the cabinet awaits to study and approve the results of the trials we call upon the National Biosafety Authority to take the lead in educating the public on GMO products and informing consumers as such by clearly ensuring that manufacturers label foods as GMO or non-GMO .

Eric Korir, principal biosafety officer at NBA says it is mandatory for manufacturers to label their products as either GMO or non-GMO.

“Labeling is also done to give consumers a choice. It is there to inform the public that the product is GMO and make them decide whether they want to buy it or not.”

This petition demands:

1. That the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBS) ensures that all GMO foods and products are fit for human consumption.
2. That the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) ensures that all foods and products that have more than one percent of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) content are labeled as such.
3. The Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture issue a position paper on the safety of GMO foods and products before allowing importation of GMO Foods and Products.