The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has opened three new offices to serve dealers in Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and their derived products.
The new offices are One Stop Border post (OSBP) at Malaba in Busia County, Lunga Lunga in Kwale County and Taita Taveta, in Taita Taveta County.
The Authority Ag. CEO Nehemiah Ngetich disclosed that officers have already been posted to the stations in order to serve Kenyans.
“The three offices are now operational. We now have six offices that also include, Mombasa, Busia and Namanga,” affirmed Ngetich in a press statement.
He added that the move will ensure no GMOs and their derived products enter the country without the approval of the Authority.
The Ag. CEO recalled that in the last month, the High Court dismissed a case against the lift of a ban on GMOs and their derived products, which re-affirmed the Cabinet decision that lifted the ban on GMOs on 3rd October 2022, proving that Kenya has a robust legal and institutional framework to regulate GMOs.
Further, he disclosed that the country has about 24 entry points and therefore the need for more resources to hire at least 48 officers to man the borders.
Ngetich also highlighted that the Authority has the mandate to facilitate approvals of safe biotech crops and animal breeds that are resistant to pests and diseases leading to increased food production.
Additionally, he revealed that the Authority is now seeking review of the Biosafety Act to cover emerging technologies related to GMOs such as genome editing, gene-drives technologies, synthetic biology, biosecurity and pharmaceuticals.
He at the same time said that the Authority has since assured Kenyans in general of the safety of the GMOs and their derived products in the Country.
“The Authority has already approved the commercialization of Bt Cotton, which has been in cultivation since 2020, and no adverse effects have been noted or reported through the Authority’s monitoring and surveillance system,” announced Ngetich.
The acting CEO maintained that Kenya has a well-established legal, regulatory and institutional framework which provides for streamlined processes for persons dealing in GMOs and their derived products in the Country.
According to Ngetich, the framework outlines specific application requirements, safety assessment procedures and monitoring mechanisms which align to Kenya’s commitment to food safety, environmental protection and the socio-economic wellbeing of its citizens.
In addition, Ngetich reminded the public that the Authority’s scope includes; genetically modified plants, genetically modified animals, animal inputs including veterinary vaccines and genetically modified microorganisms.
He reiterated that the Authority has a mandate to exercise general supervision and control over the transfer, handling and use of GMOs with a view of ensuring safety of human and animal health and provision of adequate level of protection of the environment.
By Michael Omondi
