Lawyer Donald Kipkorir has said the government should first buy the locally produced maize before importing the genetically modified maize.
In a statement on Tuesday, Kipkorir pointed out that farmers are currently harvesting maize, which he said, should be bought at Sh10,000 per bag.
"Rift Valley and Western Provinces (province is a synonym for region) are at the moment harvesting their maize … Government should buy all locally produced organic maize at Sh10,000 per bag before importing GMO maize from Bill Gates, Monsanto and Syngenta!" he said.
The lawyer has joined in the debate on GMOs just as Rift Valley farmers demanded a meeting with Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi over the matter.
They said it was unwise for the government to allow maize imports when most of the farmers are harvesting.
“We have not had a situation where the government allows imports when we are harvesting and we are now wondering what is the hurry because we currently have adequate maize in this country,” a representative David Kiberenge, said.
On Monday, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei also opposed the GMO decision, saying it was unfair to farmers.
"The importation of duty free maize is not fair to us maize farmers because of its wrong timing," he said.
"In the R. Valley we are currently harvesting maize now it shall lower prices of maize."
He said there was a plan to hold a meeting with legislators from the maize growing areas to address the matter and develop a sustainable solution.
