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Molo MP criticises Raila's stand on GMO

Kimani said Raila has gone against his word

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by JAMES MBAKA

News21 November 2022 - 10:09
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In Summary


  • On Sunday, Raila called on the government to reverse their decision on GMO foods.
  • This is after Trade CS Moses Kuria said the government has allowed importation of GMO and non-GMO maize into the country for six months. 
  • .
ODM leader Raila Odinga during the opening of Kigoto Maize Milling Plant in Homa Bay on November 4.

Molo MP Kuria Kimani has criticised Azimio leader Raila Odinga's stand on Genetically modified Organisms.

He said Raila has gone against his stand on GMO made 11 years ago.

"One of the problems I have with the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is most of the time he opposes things just for the sake of it. I'm saying this because on  August 3, 2011 at the floor of the National Assembly, Raila defended GMO," Kimani said on Monday.

On Sunday, Raila called on the government to reverse their decision on GMO foods.

This is after Trade CS Moses Kuria said the government has allowed importation of GMO and non-GMO maize into the country for six months. 

"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 six months," Kuria said.

However, Raila, had in 2011 backed the use of genetically modified foods describing those who were opposed to it as "conservative purveyors of alarm."

 

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Raila said then that the GMO food would be imported because there was an international shortage of ordinary maize, subject to the condition that it would be ground into flour and packed in marked bags.

“Developed nations like the US, Canada, Argentina and many countries in the European Union ,which have stringent safety and testing standards, have embraced genetic engineering of food crops to improve food yields and develop pest resistant crop varieties,” Raila said then.

In October, the government opened the gates for the importation and use of GMOs.

A statement by President William Ruto said the move was after considering many factors, including experts and technical reports on the adoption of biotechnology.

Kimani said there has been changes in technology and health awareness since 2011.

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