Kenya Gov't to Allow Import of Duty-Free GMO Maize for Six Months

The government will allow the importation of duty-free Genetically Modified (GMO) and non-GMO maize for the next six months.

Trade, Investment, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria said on Thursday that the move is aimed at mitigating the nationwide food shortage caused by the ongoing drought.

“In view of the food situation in the country, I shall be signing instruments to allow duty free imports of GMO and non-GMO Maize for the next 6 months,” Kuria said on Twitter.

The move comes after the government lifted a 10-year ban on the cultivation and importation of genetically modified crops in early October. In a press release, the Cabinet said that the decision was guided by recommendations of a task force on genetically modified foods and food safety and guidelines of the National Biosafety Authority. 

Advocates against genetically modified foods have opposed the authorization, citing safety issues to human health and the environment.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga filed a case in court challenging the authorization of GMOs and urged Kenyans to reject attempts to “compromise their health, economy, and environment."

He argued that the reintroduction of GMOs is a cruel excuse that violates Kenyans' rights and jeopardizes national interests at the expense of foreign commercial interests.

"They [GMOs] are banned in many scientifically advanced economies like France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg. Bulgaria, Poland, Denmark, Malta, Slovenia, Italy, and Croatia. Why Kenya?" Raila said.

"We believe that introducing them into Kenya in the current state of international uncertainty is to use Kenyans as guinea pigs, which we shall not allow. Even the poor and the hungry ought to have their rights and dignity protected.”

"As we await the court verdict, we strongly urge Kenyans to reject this attempt by the Ruto administration to compromise our health. economy and environment at the altar of commerce," he added.