Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has reiterated commitment to supporting the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) in regulating genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and promoting the adoption of modern biotechnology to enhance country’s food security and agricultural productivity.

Speaking at Kilimo House in Nairobi during a courtesy call by a visiting delegation from Senegal’s National Biosafety Authority, Director of Crop Resources, Agribusiness and Market Development Douglas Kangi, who represented the Principal Secretary in the Department of Agriculture Paul Ronoh underlined the critical role played by NBA in ensuring Kenya achieves food and nutrition security.

The Senegalese delegation was led by Director General Aliou Ndiaye and included General Secretary Colonel Lamine Kane and Aïssatou Ndiaye. They were hosted by Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority Chief Executive Officer Ann Karimi, who was accompanied by NBA directors Josphat Muchiri and Nehemiah Ngetich.

“As a country, we continue to face challenges such as drought and pest infestations. As a ministry, we have a responsibility to ensure that all Kenyans are food-secure. However, productivity across the agricultural value chain remains low, which is why we are embracing emerging technologies to bridge these gaps,” Kangi said.

He challenged the authority to intensify public awareness campaigns in the country to counter misinformation and disinformation about GMO safety, which often undermines public trust and confidence.

“There is still a negative public perception of GMOs. As a ministry, we will continue to support your public awareness efforts in the country,” he gave the assurance.

The director also welcomed the collaboration between the Kenyan and Senegalese biosafety authorities and called for the development of a continental framework for the regulation of GMOs to strengthen biosafety governance across Africa.

In her remarks, the NBA Karimi hailed the ministry for continued support to the authority in advancing its mandate of ensuring the safe development, transfer, handling and use of genetically modified organisms.

Prof Ndiaye expressed appreciation for the warm reception and partnership between the two institutions, noting that the Senegalese delegation had gained valuable insights from Kenya’s experience in regulating GMOs.

The benchmarking visit seeks to share Kenya’s experience in biosafety legal, policy and institutional frameworks; facilitate the exchange of knowledge on GMO application review, risk assessment, decision-making, inspection, and post-approval monitoring; demonstrate the role of GMO testing laboratories in biosafety regulation and trade facilitation; showcase confined field trial management practices; and identify priority areas for collaboration, capacity building, and possible formal cooperation between the two biosafety authorities.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Michael Omondi