The government on Monday, October 3, lifted a ban on genetically modified foods (GMOs) in the country.
The announcement came hours after a meeting between President William Ruto and the cabinet on Monday morning at State House.
The decision effectively lifts restrictions on the cultivation and importation of GMO crops in the country.
"In accordance with the recommendation of the Task Force to Review Matters Relating to Genetically Modified Foods and Food Safety, and in fidelity with the guidelines of the National Biosafety Authority on all applicable international treaties including the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB), Cabinet vacated its earlier decision of 8th November, 2012 prohibiting the open cultivation of genetically modified crops and the importation of food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology innovations; effectively lifting the ban on Genetically Modified Crops. By dint of the executive action open cultivation and importation of White (GMO) Maize is now authorized," part of the statement read.
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The meeting was convened to consider the progress made in the national response to the ongoing drought situation that has affected 23 counties.
In 2012, Kenya banned the open cultivation of genetically modified crops and the importation of food crops.
At the same time, Cabinet considered a broad array of proposals touching on climate change adaptation; reducing Kenya’s reliance on rain-fed agriculture by increasing irrigation, planting of diverse and drought resistant crops.
