'They are safe', experts demystify myths around GMOs

This comes after a ban on the importation and planting of genetically modified crops and animal feeds that had been in place since 2012 was lifted by the Cabinet on Monday during a meeting presided over by President Ruto, ostensibly allowing the open cultivation and importation of white (GMO) maize.

Following the ruling, anti-GMO activists and skeptics have expressed concern that the introduction of GMOs to Kenya's food markets will have negative effects on people's health and the environment, including cancer and allergies.

Sylvester Anami, a biotechnologist, explained on Citizen TV's Daybreak Show on Wednesday that there are no health risks associated with consuming GMOs, pointing out that there are genetic regulations in place to ensure that the materials don't contain allergens.

He emphasized further that GMOs will benefit from the high costs associated with current food consumption because the crops will be tolerant of harsh climatic conditions and require little upkeep for growth.

"There is no evidence as up to now that GMO causes cancer. Genetically modified foods are not poisonous it is completely safe and we welcome the concerns that those who are opposed to the GMO can talk to us and we can actually convince them that these foods are safe," he said. 

"For a long time we have been having selection of plants so that they choose those that they prefer and with the best qualities. So the introduction of GMOs is very much important because they will control pest without having to use chemicals and then also if they are challenged by the impact of climate change there is a possibility that they can plant crops that are resilient and that way there will be improved yield and have sufficient amount of food that is healthy."

In the same interview, National Biosafety Authority CEO Dr. Roy Mugiira claimed that the government's decision to purchase GMO products will result in cost savings because the crops will require little upkeep and produce at a high level.

"They have overcome certain production costs for example we have BT cotton which we spray three times. Without GMOs we'd have sprayed 12 times," he said.

Dr. Mugiira added that in order to prevent uncertified GMO products from entering the markets, they have introduced a set of standards that they will use to spot-check products in the Kenyan market.

"When the ban was instituted in 2012 we moved quickly and established offices in our border entry points to check consignments that come in and we were successful in that," he explained.

"We do random sampling of goods to check if they are GMO free and we have not found any that has strayed int our local market since the ban was imposed," he added.

"We also carry regular surveillance around the country picking from supermarkets and running them through tests to confirm if any of them has GMO within the market space."

Prior to Monday's lifting of the ban the government had in 2019 allowed the commercial farming of BT cotton that is already happening in places like Busia making it the first cash crop to be planted in Kenya following years of research dating back to 2004.

Last year, the government also approved the release of GMO cassava that is resistant to brown streak disease, a severe virus disease of cassava. The crop is being cultivated in Kilifi.