Kenyan researchers hit out at opposition to GMOs

Researchers have termed opposition to biotech crops as a move designed to retard the government’s development agenda.

Leading biotechnology experts said in Eldoret yesterday three independent data sets show that more than three-quarters of Kenyans accept genetically modified foods (GMOs) and that opposition to these products is mainly by organisations paid to do so.

Under the umbrella of The Kenya University Biotechnology Consortium (KUBICO), the scientists said organisations opposing GMOs fund projects that can escalate food crisis so as to convince the people that they are not well governed.

Deputy President William Ruto announced on Wednesday that the government had lifted the ban on importation and consumption of GMOs. Ruto also announced that Kenya will soon start biotech maize and cotton.

But consumer rights groups, led by Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek), have opposed the move citing safety concerns.