The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has notified dealers of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) products of the requirement to apply for approval.
In a notice on Tuesday, November 26, the authority stated that anyone who wished to deal in the said product is required to make an application to the authority for approval.
The notice follows the High Court's decision to dismiss petitions challenging the government's move to lift the ban on GMO foods.
"By virtue of the High Court ruling, the Authority draws the attention of persons wishing to deal in GMO products to the provisions of Biosafety Act, 2009 Sections 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 50 and the Regulations made thereunder, which require such persons to make applications to the authority for approval to deal with the said products.
"Details of the application procedures, including application forms, can be accessed at www.biosafetykenya.go.ke as well as the E-citizen platform," read part of the notice.
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NBA declared that it is an offence for any person to deal in GMO or their derived products without the written approval of the authority.
"The authority affirms to Kenyans that following the High Court ruling, it shall discharge its mandate of ensuring safety of human, animal health and protection of the environment in accordance with the Biosafety Act," NBA remarked.
While issuing the ruling on Thursday, November 7, Justice Lawrence Mugambi highlighted that the safety and health concerns on GMO foods were matters handled in a 2023 ruling.
In 2023, Justice Oscar Angote gave the green light for the implementation of the lifting of the ban on GMO foods in the country, noting that there were institutions in the country mandated to guarantee the safety standards of the crops.
