Mutahi Kagwe nominated as Agriculture CS
The nomination was made by President William Ruto
1mon agoFELIX ASOHARealtime
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Nominee Mutahi Kagwe has affirmed that Kenyans will not be used as Guinea pigs by outside forces for scientific research.
He said that under his leadership, the ministry will not approve any foreign products for consumption in Kenya if they are not being consumed in the countries of origin.
“Under my leadership and if I am approved by Parliament, there will be a rule of thumb that whether GMO, pesticide, or fertiliser, if that product is not being used in its country of origin, it will not be used in Kenya,’’ Kagwe said.
The nominee was responding to questions by MPs about the government’s planned animal vaccination campaign, which has attracted resistance.
Speaking when he appeared for parliamentary approval in the National Assembly, Kagwe said he would protect Kenya from being targeted for scientific tests.
The CS nominee said he would sit down with his scientists to develop a policy that will guide the use of chemicals like pesticides, including the roundup chemicals, to ensure the safety of Kenyans.
Kagwe said he was aware of a ruling in Australia that declared the chemical as non-carcinogenic.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had argued that glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, is unlikely to be a human carcinogen.
“The decisions will be made on the basis of science and data; there will be no product that is going to be sold in this country or is going to be tested here; we are not going to be used as Guinea Pigs,’’ Kagwe said.
The former Nyeri Senator said the government will not force Kenyans into vaccinating the livestock since the animals are owned by Kenyans.
“There will be no product that is going to be sold in this country, under my watch, in the Ministry of Agricultural and Livestock that is going to be a product being tested here. We are not Guinea pigs. We will not be used by anybody as Guinea pigs,’’ he said.
Kenyans and politicians have expressed concern over the planned vaccination, accusing the government of using local animals for scientific research by foreign firms.
However, Kagwe rubbished claims that the government would force farmers to vaccinate their livestock, saying the state will do that for the willing.
“The point of the matter is that the cow belongs to an individual. The matter is simple. Here is a vaccine for foot and mouth disease. You have a goat. Do you want the goat to be vaccinated? You say yes, we vaccinate. You say no, we don’t vaccinate,’’ Kagwe said