EALA should speak as one voice on GMO policies – Winnie Odinga

Winnie said the East African region can do its study on GMO foods and come up with its policy.

Winnie Odinga
Winnie Odinga
Image: COURTESY

EALA representative for Kenya Winnie Odinga has said the East African Community should speak as one voice on the introduction of GMO foods in the region.

Speaking at an interview on Spice FM on Monday, Winnie said the East African region can do its study on GMO foods and come up with its policy.

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"If you create the policy at EALA and say that here in the EA union, this is our policy on GMO, this is our study and from that, we have created this policy," Odinga said.

"Before any of the EA countries make a move on GMOs, they would have to refer to the EA policy on GMOs.  If we keep moving as separate entities in this place, it is not beneficial to any of us."

Winnie said that introduction of GMOs is not good for Kenya at the moment.

"Even if it is used as an intervention, what are we doing to further not need this intervention? " Winnie posed.

More leaders are against the introduction of GMO foods in the country.

Kiminini MP Didmus Barasa said GMOs are for countries situated in deserts, not in Kenya where we experience perennial floods.

"I don't support the importation of GMO-related foodstuffs. Will only do when and or until such a time when we would have equipped our hospitals with proper disease diagnostic equipment," Barasa said.

Mumias East MP Peter Salasya said since GMOs never changed Zimbabwe's food production model, then it won’t change anything in Kenya.

"I will task Agriculture and Livestock PS to shed more light once they resume office," Salasya said.

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