BT maize in the spotlight amid reservations by concerned public

Doubts on the government’s willingness to listen to the voice of the majority in the controversial genetically modified organisms (GMOs) debate linger even as public participation continues.

The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) hopes that by the end of January next year, Kenyans will have pronounced themselves on the issue of BT maize. The collection of views is coming hot on the heels of a major controversy triggered by attempts to introduce GMOs over the years. 

NBA has assured that a comprehensive process will be undertaken before the BT maize variety is placed in the market for farmers’ use. The process runs up to January 6.

The debate heightened after President William Ruto in October 2022 lifted a 10-year ban on GMOs imposed by President Mawai Kibaki.

The High Court dismissed a case challenging the lifting of the ban, saying the government had taken appropriate measures to regulate their use.

“In accordance with recommendation of task force to review matters relating to GM foods and food safety and in fidelity with the guidelines of NBA on all applicable international treaties, including Cartagena protocol on Biosafety, Cabinet vacated its earlier decision of November 8, 2012 prohibiting open cultivation of GM crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology innovation, effectively lifting ban on GM crops,” said President William Ruto after a Cabinet meeting. 

However, food expert Okisegere Ojepat says such decisions are not only critical but should also be well-informed and discussed, bearing in mind that in exports, certain destinations do not want anything GMO.

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He says there is need for scientifically informed decisions without politicising and sensationalising technology.

“I come from a different world, from the science, which drives the world. Let us make scientific decisions on anything we do because ordinarily, science does not borrow. It is good to have conventional conversations but the question is whether we have any backing,” he says.

So long as science has proven otherwise, Ojepat feels that people’s beliefs and religions should be respected.

“It is about what the science says. However, one should not replace the other but also as a country we also have beliefs, traditions and so much going on. Scientific driven decisions for purposes of progressing and ensuring our food security systems are robust and we are able to use arable land we have,” he argues.

On the other hand, the Law Society of Kenya has stated it would make its stand after discussions. “We are still working on our recommendations,” says LSK President, Faith Odhiambo.

NBA Acting Director of Biosafety Research and Compliance, Josphat Muchiri, explains that the extensive process that BT maize, which is genetically modified for pest and disease resistance, would undergo before it can be released for use, saying the earliest it can hit the market is 2026 or 2027.

While acknowledging public discussions, Muchiri dismisses misinformation surrounding GMOs.

“What we can assure the public is that measures put in place to ensure safety of GM products will guarantee that any product approved, following channels of approvals, are safe,” he says.

“There is a lot of misinformation in the public… that GMOs would cause this or other but to date, we have not found any scientific evidence to link some of those things the public have been fed with.”

NBA regulates all activities involving GMOs; plants, animals or microorganisms. 

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Karlo) has been doing research on BT maize for several years and now wants to move the variety to commercial space. The agency says it has improved conventional maize to acquire resistance to two pests: maize stem bores and fall armyworm, which are the major pests in the country.

“When farmers plant their seeds, their crops will not be damaged and will also not require use of pesticides. If they plant the conventional maize, it may be damaged by pests, or alternatively, you spray with pesticides,” he says.

As public participation exercise continues, NBA is also consulting with agencies like the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, National Environment Management Authority, the public health section and independent experts.

Karlo applied to NBA about a month ago, with Muchiri saying that though they are behind the research, they cannot take the maize to farmers until NBA approves it.

“Once we receive those three outputs from experts, government agencies and the public, we will pick all the issues raised and engage the applicant to first address them.”