Court suspends decision to lift the ban on GMO foods

GMOs were banned in Kenya in 2012 by the late former President Mwai Kibaki. [iStockphoto]

The decision by the government to lift the 10-year ban on genetically modified foods has been suspended.

High Court Judge Mugure Thande issued the order stopping ministries of Agriculture and Trade from allowing any GMO foods into the country until a petition filed by Kenya Peasants League is heard and determined.

Justice Thande said in case the government has already imported GMO foods, no government entity or official should distribute them to the public until the dispute relating to its safety is determined.

The judge's decision came in the middle of a raging dispute between Trade CS Moses Kuria and a section of lawmakers after he announced that the government will import GMO maize to cushion Kenyans facing hunger.

Several leaders, including opposition chief Raila Odinga, have also opposed the government move to lift the ban on GMO foods.

The Kenya Peasants League petition was the second suit challenging the GMO foods decision.

Lawyer Paul Mwangi filed a similar suit to stop the implementation of the government reintroduction of GMO, saying it posses great health risks.

The petitioners say there has never been any conclusive scientific research over the safety of GMO foods and that allowing it in the country will not only pose great health risks but also erode the country's cultural food and farming practices.

President William Ruto had on October 3 announced that the government had lifted the ban on GMO foods after a cabinet meeting to increase the country's food basket following the prolonged drought.

GMOs were banned in Kenya in 2012 by the late former President Mwai Kibaki over what the government termed as lack of sufficient information on the public health impact of such foods.

In his petition, Mwangi said the ban imposed in 2012 was to remain in force until when there would be sufficient information, data and knowledge demonstrating the GMO foods are not a danger to public health.

"The hasty removal of all regulations in the cultivation and trade of GMOs in Kenya is unreasonable and a threat to the wellbeing of Kenyans."