CoG wades into GMO debate, says lifting ban 'premature'

The Council of Governors has faulted government over the manner in which it lifted the ban on genetically modified maize, saying it was hurried and they were never consulted.

The CoG has specifically blamed the Ministry of Trade for the decision to import and avail GMO maize.

The council, led by Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka who is the chairperson of the agriculture committee and his Vihiga counterpart Wilber Otichilo, said Kenyan farmers will be disadvantaged as they will not be able to sell their maize at a price equal to their production cost.

 “The discussion of importation of GMO was premature as a report on the Maize Balance Sheet by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development projects a maize surplus of 19.1 million bags by end of December 2022,” Lusaka said. 

The governor pointed out that this was as a result of the 16 million (90kg) bags to be harvested from the 2022 long rains crops in South Rift, North Rift, Nyanza and parts of Western counties and 1.5 million bags import from the East African Community region by private sector.

Lusaka added that the CoG proposes a meeting with the ministries of Agriculture and Trade to discuss the matter to ensure that farmers are well compensated for their yields.

He demanded that the national government, through the National Cereals and Produce Board, makes available resources to purchase all the maize held by famers before any importation is granted.

The governor, however, said they appreciate the government vacation on the ban on GMOs on October 3, 2022 in an effort to cushion Kenyans from high cost of production as well reduce the cost of food to consumers.

“The council, therefore, proposes that the national and county governments form a Joint Technical Committee to oversee the execution of the GMO ban lift,” Lusaka said. 

The county chief added that the committee should incorporate farmers, academia and other interested parties to enhance transparency and information sharing on GMO.

The council also took issue with the uprooting of  eight baobab trees in Kilifi county which they said goes against the national targets to increase the forest and tree cover, especially in coastal and dry land areas.

“It goes against our legal and policy stand to conserve biological diversity, promote sustainable use of its components and the equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources,” Lusaka said. 

He added that the ecological value of the baobab tree outweighs the intended purpose of the uprooting.

“In light of the above, the Council of Governors has held consultations with the county government of Kilifi and wish to inform members of the public that the following corrective measures have been initiated,” Lusaka said.

He said Kilifi county is putting in place policy and legal frameworks to ensure baobab and other indigenous tree species are protected.