Editor's Review

"Will only do, at a time when we would have equipped our hospitals with proper disease diagnostics."

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has joined a list of MPs who have opposed the importation of GMO foods into the country.

Barasa was elected on a UDA party ticket, an outfit led by President William Ruto. 

In a statement on Monday, the MP said Kenya should only allow GMO foods if the health sector is well equipped to handle the consequences of consuming high amounts of such foods.

“I Didmus Wekesa Barasa Mutua, the son of a widow, do not support the importation of GMO-related foodstuffs. Will only do, at a time when we would have equipped our hospitals with proper disease diagnostics,” he said.

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Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa. PHOTO | FILE

His reaction comes after Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei urged the CS for trade, investment, and industry Moses Kuria not to allow the importation of GMO maize now that the country's farmers are on the verge of harvesting.

There has been a heated debate on social media among Kenyans over GMO products in the country with Opposition leader Raila Odinga leading calls to oppose its importation.

Raila on Sunday issued a hard-hitting statement castigating the government for planning to import GMOs.

Raila said then that the GMO food would be imported because there was an international shortage of ordinary maize subject to the condition that it would be ground into flour and packed in marked bags.

“Developed nations like the US, Canada, Argentina and many countries in the European Union which have stringent safety and testing standards have embraced genetic engineering of food crops to improve food yields and develop pest-resistant crop varieties,” Raila said then.