Submission of comments and views by Kenyans on the introduction of Genetically Modified Maize (GM Maize), Commonly known as BT Maize, in the Kenyan market ends on Monday, January 6, 2025.
The closing of submissions paves the way for the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) to begin analysis and make a resolution of the findings.
BT maize variety, which has been developed in the country, is set to increase yields, reduce pesticide use, and improve grain quality.
NBA has been conducting public participation meetings across the country as per the requirements of the Biosafety Act and the constitution, to seek public comments before making a final decision on the BT maize.
A series of public participation exercises by the Authority were conducted last week in Kakamega, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia and Machakos County as well as online submissions by various stakeholders.
Speaking during a session with the youth on Sunday evening dubbed “Is Kenya ready for the cultivation of genetically modified maize? organised by Bunge la Mayuth-Kenya, National Biosafety Authority, Acting Director of Biosafety Research and Compliance, Josphat Muchiri assured Kenyans their input will be taken into consideration when making the final decision.
“As an Authority which is mandated to regulate these activities, we will ensure the concerns of all Kenyans are fully addressed by the promoters of this product,” Muchiri said.
The application for introduction into the market of BT maize was made in November last year to the Authority by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF).
BT Maize is expected to address the challenges of the Fall armyworms and Maize stem borers, which are the two major pests for maize in Kenya and the region.
“The Authority is mandated, among others, to promote awareness and education among the general public in matters relating to biosafety, a function that it has taken seriously through various activities across the Country,” Muchiri said.
He said once an application for a GM project is received, the Authority has three pillars that it uses to make a decision on the application.
“We have a safety assessment pillar that involves food and safety assessment, environmental safety assessment and which involves the review of the data by other government agencies and stakeholders and independent reviewers,” Muchiri added.
He further said there is a social economic assessment pillar that determines whether technology offers any additional benefit to farmers, how accessible it is and if it has the potential to offer unfair advantage or competition to others.
Muchiri added that the final pillar is public participation, which entails publishing the research and engaging all stakeholders on the GM project before final approval is granted.
The decision to conduct public engagements is in line with the provisions of the Biosafety Act, 2009 Section 19(4) and Regulation 12(3)(a) of the Biosafety (Environmental Release) Regulations, 2011, which require the Authority to notify the public on receiving an application for environmental release or open field cultivation, and placing on the market of genetically modified products.
The Authority is mandated to exercise supervision and control over the development, transfer, handling and use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) with a view to ensuring the safety of human and animal health as well as the provision of adequate level of protection to the environment.
“These initiatives are meant to educate the public on GMOs, and safety assessment procedures and allow interactive sessions with members of the public,” he said.
He further pointed out that before the commercialisation of the BT maize, other regulatory approvals including Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and National Performance Trials will be required and the public will further be engaged at those stages.
Muchiri assured Kenyans that NBA shall continue to discharge its mandate of ensuring the safety of human, and animal health and protection of the environment in accordance with the Biosafety Act.
NBA is also consulting with agencies like the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, the National Environment Management Authority, the State Department of Public Health and independent experts.
Muchiri said although KALRO is behind the research, they cannot take the maize to farmers until the NBA approves it.
“It is important to note that once we receive those three outputs from experts, government agencies and the public, we will pick all the issues raised and engage the applicant to first address them before we make a final decision,” Muchiri added.
Muchiri further assured Kenyans there is a well-established legal, regulatory and institutional framework which provides for streamlined processes for persons dealing with GMOs and their derived products in the country.
