Kenya set to release GMO maize seeds to farmers

Kenya is ready to release GMO maize seeds to farmers following the lifting of the ban on GMO in the country.

The National Biosafety Authority says the country has already tested and qualified varieties of white maize for cultivation that will be resistant to pests, as other trials for crops like cassava and sorghum are currently ongoing.

Those seeking to import GMO products into the country will also be facilitated to do so through the authority as long as they fulfill the requirements of law.

The National Biosafety Authority, the body charged with regulating GMOs in Kenya, says the adoption of the technology is well regulated and will be closely monitored.

Dr Roy Mugiira, the authority’s CEO, said: “It is not a floodgate of anything out there coming in, we still maintain that we can only allow that which has been approved by ourselves to be safe for the environment, human and animal health.”

During the one decade ban of the products, the authority says it was working on the deficiencies that had informed the ban in the first place, including building the capacity in law and infrastructure.

The authority, through the Biosafety Act of 2009, and a set of regulations of 2011, provides a conducive and safe environment for the application of the GMO technology in Kenya.

“We developed a framework a long time ago, that framework consists of the policy, the law and the regulations. The regulations are complete with what one needs to do if they intend to transact business at various levels; if, for example, one is engaged in research with GMOs, they will interact with biosafety contained use regulations,” stated Dr. Mugiira.

In Kenya, research has been ongoing for 39 different types of genetic modification in both plants and animals with various degrees of success and progress.

BR Cotton, which is genetically modified to resist pests, is already under cultivation, while GM Cassava is waiting for clearance from NEMA and the final national performance trials.

Kenya's staple food crop, maize, has undergone all trials and is now a heartbeat away from commercial cultivation.

Dr Mugiira stated: “The one that is close is BT maize; maize that is modified to resist the maize stalk borer. That one has undergone all the phases, in fact it is the ban that has been standing in the way of getting this maize variety to the farmers.”

The National Biosafety Authority says it is keen on ensuring that only safe and strategic GMO products will be allowed to be used in the country.

Aside from allowing for drought, disease and pest resistant crops, the authority says it is keeping an eye on where the GMOs are sourced from to ensure safety of the GMO products before they land on Kenyan soil.

“If it is an import, for example, we will contact the competent authority of the country of origin to confirm if the product that is coming in has been approved in that country for use as food, feed or processing, and then we will conduct a risk assessment,” added Dr. Mugiira.