NAIROBI, Jan 23 (NNN-KBC) — Government agencies appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Livestock have given assurance to the public that locally produced BT maize is fit for human and animal consumption as the country deliberates on whether to introduce genetically engineered foods into Kenya’s food system.
Plans by the Cabinet to allow for importation of genetically modified foods to plug deficit amid the worst drought in 40 years by vacating a decade old ban on Oct 3, 2022 were thwarted by the High Court a month later in November, throwing the government back to the drawing board amid criticism by various rights groups.
During the last day of the forum to deliberate on safety of the GM foods, environmental effects, impact on food security and laws, the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) Chief Executive Officer Dr Roy Mugiira assured the public that the locally produced BT maize variety by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) is safe for human and animal consumption.
“There is still the National Varieties Release Committee which will sit and say we can now release this to the farmers. Until that is done then we will not have the BT maize with farmers,” said Dr Roy Mugiira, National Biosafety Authority Chief Executive Officer.
KALRO which has been developing BT maize varieties in coordination with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) has already completed trial of three varieties which have been found to be performing better than the indigenous maize variety.
“KEPHIS performed the national performance trial and three of the varieties submitted by KALRO were superior and they have been recommended for release. But as for now the National Varieties Release Committee has not met to make that determination,” said Prof. Theophilus Muthui, KEPHIS Managing Director.
Attempts by the government to introduce GMO into the country to supplement food reserves and ease competition for food with livestock have met opposition from rights groups for a decade despite the country making a big leap in research and development of BT maize varieties.
Should the government successfully appeal the court order, the KALRO will proceed with bulking of the seeds with growers for purposes of seed multiplication and farmer education.
“Currently we have 10 tonnes which will be available immediately the National Varieties Release Committee allows us to continue with the commercialization,” said Dr. Eliud K. Kireger, KALRO Director General.
Approval of the GM maize will allow KALRO to release the seeds and license seed manufacturers to multiply them provided they pay a 2pc royalty. — NNN-KBC
