The Environment Court in Kenya has made a decision to allow the planting of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) maize. This decision came after a legal challenge against the release and cultivation of GMO maize in the country was dismissed.
The court stated that there was no substantial evidence demonstrating that the use of GMOs posed a threat to human health or the environment.
The use of GMOs in Kenya has been a subject of debate, particularly concerning their safety for consumption. The ban on GMO imports into the country was lifted during President William Ruto’s administration.
President William Ruto, while addressing the issue, assured the Kenyan population that genetically modified products did not present any health risks. He emphasized his commitment to safeguarding the well-being of the citizens.
He stated, “All the food we import contains some level of GMOs. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) requires this percentage to be at one. However, this requirement results in us paying 30 to 40 percent more for our imports.” The President also noted that countries like South Africa and the USA have embraced 100 percent GMO in their food supply without any reported health issues. He asserted, “I am a scientist, and I would not put the lives of those who elected me in danger.”
President Ruto also highlighted the potential benefits of GMOs, such as their ability to be engineered to resist pests and diseases, reducing the need for pesticides and herbicides.
However, this perspective faced opposition from Civil Society groups, which filed a petition in court to challenge President Ruto’s decisions regarding GMOs. These groups argued that the government had not provided sufficient evidence to prove the safety of genetically modified crops.
In response to this petition, the High Court ruled in favor of the civil society groups, leading to the ban on the importation and distribution of GMO maize. The court, in a judgment delivered by a three-judge bench, emphasized the lack of adequate evidence from the government regarding the safety of the product.
