Despite the High Court giving an okay to the growth and importation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), Agriculture Cabinet Secretary nominee Mutahi Kagwe has revealed that should he take over the Agriculture slot, he will impose a ban on the importation of some GMO products.
Appearing before the Committee on Appointments at the National Assembly Mini Chamber on Tuesday, Kagwe emphasised that priority would be given to GMOs developed by Kenyan scientists.
The former CS maintained that he would not preside over a system where Kenyans are used as guinea pigs by other foreign nations.
”GMOs that we have created for ourselves using our own scientists are those that we should be considering on a first-line basis,” Kagwe stated.
Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture nominee Mutahi Kagwe taking an oath when he appeared before Parliament for vetting on January 14, 2025.
mzalendo
The Uhuru Kenyatta-era Health CS further sought to allay Kenyans’ fears about the safety of GMOs, explaining that nearly all agricultural products result from genetic mutation.
According to the former Nyeri Senator, Kenya will only allow companies to bring in the GMOs after subjecting them to substantial medical and historical related checks to ensure the well-being of Kenyans.
”The maize that we are growing today is not the maize that we originally got from Mexico centuries ago. It is a different one,” Kagwe stated.
”It is critical for us to ensure that we are not used by people for testing of their GMO products. If you have a GMO product that you have designed yourself, use it in your own country,” he added.
He further disclosed that he was in possession of credible information about foreign companies attempting to sell counterfeit and banned products to Kenya.
The debate around the legalisation of GMOs has been a contentious one with Kenyans accusing the government under the leadership of President William Ruto of alleged schemes to force it down on them.
At the same time, the nominee urged the house to consider more budgetary allocations to enable the National Biosafety Authority to carry out more research on the plant products reared in the country.
On the issue of livestock vaccination, the former CS maintained that no farmer will be forced to vaccinate their animals insisting that the process will be voluntary work.
Animal vaccination and the push for GMOs remain two contentious issues for the government which continues to grapple with effectively communicating and persuading Kenyans to embrace them.
Kagwe was the first to appear before the committee with former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui scheduled to follow.
Upon completing the vetting process, the Committee will submit its report to Parliament, detailing the successful nominees. The House will then vote to either approve or reject the nominees. Following Parliament’s decision, the report will be presented to the President, after which the approved nominees will formally assume their roles upon being sworn in at the State House.
A man shows off GMO maize corn
GLP