Kenya has adequate capacity to ensure genetically modified organisms are safe for use

Workers prepare fields for planting of Bt Cotton for the National Performance Trials (NPTs) at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) site in Kibos, Kisumu County in this past photo. The purpose of the NPTs is to generate agronomic performance data such as yield potential and insect resistance under farmer conditions, and to assess value for cultivation before the new varieties are released to farmers.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Bt-cotton, a crop commercialised in 15 countries over the last 20 years, has undergone rigorous evaluation in different agro-ecological zones in the country where conventional cotton varieties are normally grown.
  • Among the concerns over GM crops are safety of inserted genetic elements, short and long-term direct health effects (toxicity), and possibility to provoke allergic reactions as well as alterations in food nutritional and compositional properties in diverse uses.
  • Once approved by the authority, the GMO products are clearly labelled for consumer information and ease of traceability.
  • If any unintended effect attributed to the approved GMO is noted, the product shall be recalled from the market immediately.

In our public engagement forums, we often get questions on agricultural biotechnology research, especially on how genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are approved.

Now, the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) is a regulatory body established by an Act of parliament to provide supervision and control of development, transfer, handling and use of GMOs for ensuring safety of human and animal health and provide adequate environmental protection. 

Among biotech crops that have reached field experimentation in Kenya are cotton, maize, sorghum, cassava and gypsophila flower. More recently, NBA approved Bt-maize and Bt-cotton for environmental release and conducting of national performance trials (NPTs), a key step before any release of new crop varieties in Kenya.

Bt-cotton, a crop commercialised in 15 countries over the last 20 years, has undergone rigorous evaluation in different agro-ecological zones in the country where conventional cotton varieties are normally grown.

The purpose of NPT tests is to generate agronomic performance data such as yield potential and insect resistance under farmer conditions, and to assess value for cultivation before the new varieties are finally released to farmers.

Among the concerns over GM crops are safety of inserted genetic elements, short and long-term direct health effects (toxicity), and possibility to provoke allergic reactions as well as alterations in food nutritional and compositional properties in diverse uses.

So, to assess safety of GMO foods, NBA has established a transparent, science-based and predictable risk assessment and decision-making process anchored on internationally recognised agreements and standards of which Kenya is a signatory.

Evaluating all available evidence

The process involves screening for the application’s data completeness and engagement of independent biosafety experts to review food/feed safety, environmental safety as well as socio-economic considerations.

The application is then reviewed by other relevant government bodies before being subjected to public participation, before finally making a decision.

Once approved by the authority, the GMO products are clearly labelled for consumer information and ease of traceability.

The Biosafety Act also provides for post-commercialisation monitoring and general surveillance for 20 years.

If any unintended effect attributed to the approved GMO is noted, the product shall be recalled from the market immediately.

GMOs cut across a broad spectrum of disciplines. Consequently, the Biosafety Act requires that NBA consults with agencies like Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis), Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs), National Environment Management Authority (Nema), Department of Public Health, Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and Kenya Industrial Property Institute (Kipi).

Kephis, DVS, Kebs, Nema and Department of Public Health are represented in NBA board and participate fully in the decision-making process.

In 2019, the Cabinet endorsed NBA’s biosafety decision to start cultivation of biotech cotton, engineered to resist bollworm attack.

This was after evaluating all available evidence including detailed studies provided by the applicant, available literature and history of over 20 years of use elsewhere.

NBA then concluded that Bt-cotton is as safe as the conventional cotton and its cultivation poses no risk to humans, animals and the environment, including use of cotton seed, routinely processed to make cooking oil and cotton seed cake as animal feed.

The authority, therefore, assures the public that for the approved Bt-cotton, the fibre, cooking oil and derived animal feed cake is as safe as products derived from the conventional cotton.