Raila Odinga’s lawyer seek to reverse ban on GMO products
Opposition leader Raila Odinga’s lawyer, Paul Mwangi has filed a case in court seeking to reverse the lifting of genetically modified organic (GMO) ban.
Mwangi argued that the government has a responsibility of protecting indigenous crops from extinction.
He claimed that the lift on the 10-year ban on GMOs was unconstitutional and a threat to food security in the country.
“The 2022 Cabinet decision exposes the country to foods and crops not tested in the country, that in fact opens a floodgate against regulations that the 2012 ban on GMO imposed,” Mwangi claimed in his petition.
The petitioner stated that in 2012, the ban on GMOs did not close the door on the use of biotechnology in Kenya but rather closed the door on the introduction of foods not tested by local regulatory agencies.
“…And that this paved the way for the introduction of BT cotton as a cash crop in 2016 on trial basis and genetically modified cassava as a food crop in 2021 that is still undergoing trials in Kilifi, Murang’a and Busia counties,” he added.
He further contends that the 2022 Cabinet decision was not to lift the ban on genetically modified foods but rather effect a blanket uplift of all protocols controlling the introduction of genetically modified foods in Kenya that had been placed by previous administrations.
The petitioner also claimed Kenya risks the danger of having crops developed using genetic use restriction technology gurt; a technology where seeds once grown commit suicide and are thereby unable to be used again to be resown to germinate into a new crop. This creates a dependency on buying fresh seeds every planting cycle.
This comes after Azimio One Kenya alliance leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka opposed the lifting of the ban on GMO imports into the country.
According to the two leaders, during Mwai Kibaki’s administration they had voiced reservations against embracing GMOs due to fears the technology would not only threaten the livelihood of small-scale farmers but also pose a threat to the well-being of Kenyans and the environment.
Speaking when he addressed members of Bunge La Mwananchi at Jevanjee Gardens in Nairobi yesterday, Raila claimed there are companies that have “manufactured GMO seeds which if used in the soil will take away our soil’s natural ingredients.”
“So as Kenyans we should stand strong and say no to GMO. We do not want it in our country,” he said.
Kalonzo said the President should have ensured there was a nationwide discussion and public participation for citizens to give their views on whether they would like to consume GM foods.
Speaking at the Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka Command Centre in Nairobi, he said the ban on GMOs arrived at by the Cabinet in November 2012 was founded on research and the need to protect the interests of Kenyans.
“Genetically modified organisms are animals or crops whose genetic material has been altered in a way that they are no longer natural. Genetic engineering, therefore, poses a lot of risks and to us, it is a big no since we cannot remain silent when our government comes up with policies that will affect the wellbeing of our present and future generations,” said Kalonzo.
