Gov’t temporarily barred from importing, distributing GMO crops, food

The petitioners claimed that GMO foods and crops posed a deadly health risk to Kenyans, particularly the poor and those with low incomes, and opposed their importation, cultivation, and consumption.

The Kenyan Peasants League's leader, Mr. Cidi Otieno, based his affidavit on recent comments made by Moses Kuria, who said that it was okay to add GMOs to the list of things that can kill Kenyans.

He argued that such a statement from the CS in charge of the Kenya Bureau of Standards implied that GMOs were indeed unsafe for consumption by humans and that the government's actions, which are in violation of Kenyan constitutional provisions, endanger human life and health.

Mr. Otieno went on to say that if the government really did need to reduce hunger, it was free to import healthy maize from Tanzania or other nearby nations rather than bringing in food that would cause long-term illnesses in the population.

The KPL's attorney, Mr. Kevin Oriri, emphasized that the injunctive orders prevent the government from gazette the Cabinet Decision lifting the ban on genetically modified organisms in Kenya.

The orders forbid the government from bringing in or distributing any GMO foods or crops into the nation, either directly or through any other organization. 

He further stated that there was no public participation that led to the lifting of the ban on GMOs in Kenya.

Kenya lifted its ban on genetically modified crops in response to the worst drought in the East African region in 40 years, with officials hoping that it will improve crop yields and food security.

President William Ruto's office issued a statement after chairing a cabinet meeting, describing the lifting of the ban as part of the drought response.

According to the Cabinet, it considered a wide range of proposals related to climate change adaptation, reducing Kenya's reliance on rain-fed agriculture through increased irrigation, and planting a diverse and drought-resistant crop mix.

The lifting of the ban has elicited mixed reactions across the country, with Azimio Leader Raila Odinga, among others, stating that he will fight GMOs in court and on farms across the country.

Raila, who once supported the introduction of GMOs in Kenya during his tenure as Prime Minister, claims that new information has emerged since then, much of it negative toward GMOs.