Azimio-One Kenya Coalition principals Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka have faulted President William Ruto’s move to lift the 2012 ban on Genetically Modified food, saying the most scientifically advanced nations in the world have rejected GMOs over health concerns on their populations.
Speaking separately in Nairobi, Mr. Odinga who made an impromptu appearance at the Bunge la Wananchi in Nairobi’s Jivanjee Gardens on Tuesday afternoon wondered why the Kenyan leadership was keen on embracing something already rejected by advanced countries on health grounds.
”Many developed European countries which are advanced scientifically have rejected GMOs. They are sure they will harm their people’s health,” Mr. Odinga said.
”Which research have we done here that is better than the research being done in Germany? We say no to GMO,” the Azimio leader added.
The remarks were supported by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka at his party’s headquarters in Karen where he said Kenya’s food patterns will be at the mercy of multinational companies owning the GMO technology and at the expense of local indigenous seeds.
”Our food system will be at the mercies of the multinational companies that own the GMO technology while our indigenous seeds and unique biodiversity will be facing extinction owing to the poor regulatory framework from GMOs in Kenya,” Mr. Musyoka said.
”The abled in society as well as many developed countries are going organic. Go to any supermarket in Europe, organic food is more expensive than GMOs. We must remain organic,” he added.
On October 3rd, President Ruto lifted the ban on GMO products to allow the cultivation and importation of genetically modified (GM) maize for mass consumption.
