Soy MP David Kiplagat now wants the government to halt any plans to import GMO maize into the country.
Kiplagat, in a post on his verified Facebook page, said the science behind Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) was still opaque.
He further argues that before the government starts implementing the cabinet decision to lift the ban on GMOs, it needs to engage in public sensitization.
“The plan to import GMO maize to the country should be paused until enough public sensitization has been done,” the Soy MP said in a post on November 18, 2022.
“The science behind GMOs is still opaque and although the Cabinet approved GMOs more public sensitization needs to be done and clear regulations passed by Parliament to govern the importation of GMO maize. We should also be careful as a country not to further alienate our local maize farmers who should be our number one priority,” he added.
Trade Investment and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria on Thursday revealed that the government would allow the importation of GMO and non-GMO maize.
The move, Kuria said, was due to the current food situation in Kenya.
“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,” the CS said in a tweet dated November 17, 2022.
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
— CS Moses Kuria (@HonMoses_Kuria) November 17, 2022
But aside from having issues with GMO importation, the Soy MP also points out that farmers in the North Rift are currently harvesting.
Mob up local maize
He says before the government imports maize, it must first buy all that is available from the local farmers.
“Farmers in North Rift which supplies over 80% of maize consumed in the country are currently harvesting and the CS in charge of trade should first mob up all the maize that has been harvested before thinking about maize importation,” said the UDA legislator.
He further revealed that he will be seeking a statement in parliament from the CS over the matter next week when the National Assembly resumes.
“Meanwhile I am calling upon our maize farmers not to worry but continue harvesting while we delve into the matter of importation of GMOs into the country. We shall keep you abreast of any developments,” Kiplagat said.
The planned maize importation has also been rejected by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei.
Cherargei in a tweet shared similar sentiments with the Soy MP that government must first purchase maize locally.
“…our Rift Valley farmers are currently harvesting maize , the importation of maize should stop until govt has mopped up all this year’s crop & avoid lowering prices that doesn’t match the inputs incurred by maize farmers!” Cherargei said in a tweet.
