The Government seeks to allow the importation of duty-free GMO and non-GMO maize to address the biting food shortage.
Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria said on his Twitter handle that the government will sign documents to permit the importation in the next six months.
This comes after the government earlier in October repealed the country’s 2012-era prohibition on the importation and growing of genetically modified organism (GMO) crops and animal feeds
The action is intended to lessen the national food scarcity in light of the country’s present drought condition.
The government had lifted the ban on Genetically Modified Crops following a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto at the State House.
Consequently, the Cabinet also approved the cultivation and importation of White GMO maize.
“Cabinet considered a broad array of proposals touching on climate change adaptation,” read part of a dispatch from State House.
Kenya has been reluctant to approve the import or planting of genetically modified food crops since November 2012, amid an ongoing debate about the safety of GMO crops.
Several scientists welcomed the move, describing it as “long overdue” and a panacea for the drought and hunger in the country.
According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), over four million people are food-starved, and 942,000 children are malnourished.
By lifting a 10-year ban on biotechnology foods in the country, Kenya officially approved the importation and cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops.
