Critical decision: To adopt or reject GMOs?

KENYA stands at a pivotal moment in its agricultural development as the debate over genetically modified organisms enters its second decade.

While scientists present compelling evidence of GMOs' potential to address chronic food insecurity, deep public skepticism persists amid ongoing legal battles and health concerns.

With climate change exacerbating hunger and arable land shrinking, the nation faces a critical decision that could reshape its food future.

SCIENCE BEHIND GMOS

At its core, genetic modification involves precisely altering an organism's DNA to introduce beneficial traits like pest resistance or drought tolerance. Modern techniques have evolved far beyond traditional breeding methods, with scientists now using three primary approaches: direct DNA insertion through microscopic particles, bacterial carriers to transfer genetic material, and the revolutionary CRISPR gene-editing technology that allows pinpoint accuracy in genetic alterations.

These methods have been used globally to develop crops like pest-resistant maize, drought-tolerant soybeans, and disease-resistant cassava. In Kenya, genetically modified maize has been a focal point due to its role as a staple food.

a leading genetics expert at the National Defence University, emphasises the exhaustive safety protocols governing GMO development. "While creating a biotech crop might take relatively little time, the nearly 20 years of mandatory safety testing that follows represents our commitment to public health," she said. 

These rigorous evaluations examine impacts on humans, animals, and ecosystems, with each country conducting independent assessments. The result is an extensive global safety database dating back to the first commercial GMO crops in 1994. 

"After decades of worldwide consumption, we've observed no adverse health effects across generations of consumers," Muigai said. She added that future biotech crops will not only produce higher yields but address emerging challenges: "The possibilities are endless, depending on breeders' objectives."
CASE FOR GMOS

Kenya’s food security challenges are stark. According to the 2022 Global Food Security Index, the country scores just 53 per cent, reflecting vulnerabilities driven by poverty, climate change, and limited agricultural land. With the population growing at two per cent annually and arable land remaining stagnant at 27.6 million hectares for over a decade, the pressure to boost food production is immense.

Proponents argue that GMOs could help bridge this gap. For instance, Bt maize, engineered to resist the destructive fall armyworm, could reduce crop losses and increase yields. Similarly, Bt cotton, approved for commercialisation in 2019, has shown promise in combating the African bollworm, a major pest in cotton farming.

“We cannot increase the land available, so the only way forward is to enhance crop productivity through science. GMOs have been rigorously tested for decades, and the evidence shows they are safe,” Muigai said.

LEGAL BATTLES, PUBLIC RESISTANCE

Despite scientific endorsements, Kenya’s GMO journey has been fraught with legal and political hurdles. In 2012, the government imposed a ban on GMO imports following a controversial (and later debunked) study linking GMO maize to cancer in rats.

Although research continued, public distrust grew, fueled by concerns over corporate control, environmental risks, and potential trade disruptions with GMO-averse markets like the European Union

In 2022, the government lifted the ban, but the decision was swiftly challenged in court. The Law Society of Kenya and Kenyan Peasants League argued that the move lacked sufficient public participation and risked health and environmental safety. In 2023, the Court of Appeal upheld a ruling blocking the lifting of the ban, citing inadequate stakeholder engagement.

REGIONAL AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

Globally, GMO adoption varies widely. The United States, Brazil, and Argentina are among the largest producers of GM crops, while the European Union maintains strict regulations. In Africa, South Africa leads in GMO cultivation, having commercialised GM maize as early as 1996.

Efforts to harmonise GMO policies in East Africa have stalled. The East African Community and Comesa drafted regional biosafety frameworks, but adoption has been slow due to differing national regulations. Kenya and Uganda have progressed with national biosafety laws, while others remain hesitant. This lack of harmonisation continues to pose challenges, particularly for cross-border trade and regional food policy alignment.

TRUST DEFICIT

Despite assurances from scientists, public skepticism persists. A GeoPoll survey found that 37 per cent of Kenyans are extremely concerned about consuming GMO foods, while only eight per cent have no reservations.

Anne Maina, national coordinator of the Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya, warns of corporate monopolies over seeds. “The Seed and Plant Varieties Act restricts farmers from sharing or selling uncertified seeds, putting control in the hands of big agribusinesses. If corporations control seeds, they control food.”

Misinformation has further muddied the waters. A study by the Alliance for Science found that 40 per cent of media articles on GMOs contained misinformation, compared to just one per cent with accurate pro-GMO information.

Prof Muigai says when the public is given the right information, they’re better able to make informed choices on whether they will buy biotech food or not. But when the fear is fueled by falsehoods, people are denied that choice. 

CHARTING THE FUTURE

As Kenya stands at this agricultural crossroads, the path forward demands a multi-faceted approach grounded in both scientific rigor and social responsibility.

First, the nation must invest in comprehensive grassroots education programmes that bring clear, accurate information about biotechnology directly to farming communities and consumers. These initiatives should demystify the science while creating spaces for meaningful dialogue about legitimate concerns.

Simultaneously, Kenya needs to strengthen its biosafety monitoring systems, ensuring they remain independent, transparent, and capable of rigorous long-term evaluation. Such systems would provide the evidence-based reassurance the public deserves while maintaining scientific standards.

Perhaps most crucially, policymakers must craft agricultural regulations that walk the delicate line between protecting farmers' traditional rights to save and exchange seeds while granting access to potentially beneficial technologies. This balance will be essential to prevent corporate monopolies while still allowing innovation to flourish.

The stakes extend far beyond Kenya's borders. As climate change accelerates across Africa, the decisions Kenya makes today about GMO adoption will reverberate throughout the continent's agricultural future. The challenge now is to weigh the substantial scientific evidence through truly inclusive policymaking - one that considers laboratory data alongside farmer wisdom, that balances immediate needs with long-term sustainability, and that ultimately positions Kenya as both a cautious and courageous leader in agricultural innovation.

This article was produced as part of the Aftershocks Data Fellowship (22-23) with support from the Africa Women’s Journalism Project (AWJP) in partnership with The ONE Campaign and the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).