Raila Odinga’s lawyer Paul Mwangi has filed a petition to overturn the government's directive to lift the ban on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country.
In his petition, Mwangi argues the lift goes against the rights of Kenyans guaranteed by the constitution.
"It goes against the right to food of acceptable quality, consumer rights guaranteed by Article 43, right to fair administrative action in article 47, and freedom of conscience, religion thought belief, and opinion.
"The hasty removal of all regulatory protocols in the cultivation and trade in genetically modified foods in Kenya is neither rational nor reasonable," Mwangi opined.
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Read Also: Government Lifts Ban on Genetically Modified Foods in Kenya
President William Ruto's administration on Monday, October 3, lifted a ban on genetically modified foods (GMOs) in the country.
The decision effectively lifted 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.
The decision by the Government has been received with mixed reactions from the public.
