Kenya has approved genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and broken free from a decade-long ban on the technology, a move that could trigger a major shift towards evidence-based solutions to agricultural production by leadership in the continent. The stage is now set for the country’s farmers to realize the full benefits of a technology that pundits expect will remarkably boost crop production and augment the livelihoods of thousands across value chains.

On Monday, October 3, 2022, newly-elected President Dr. William Ruto chaired a special meeting of his freshly appointed ministerial cabinet, in which a raft of resolutions was passed, paving way for GMO cultivation and imports into the East African nation.

″Cabinet vacated its earlier decision of 8th November, 2012 prohibiting the open cultivation of genetically modified crops and the importation of food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology innovations; effectively lifting the ban on Genetically Modified crops,″ reads the despatch from the cabinet meeting convened to assess the progress made in the response to an ongoing drought in the country.

The decision was reached in accordance with the recommendation of a task force that had been assigned to review matters relating to genetically modified foods and food safety. The cabinet also authorised the importation of food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology innovations. This marks a phenomenal policy shift in the country’s agriculture sector and highlights the resolve by the new regime to advance science-based solutions in tackling emerging challenges to its agricultural production.   
By Joseph Maina