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Church leaders want researchers to take charge of public education regarding Bt maize and other genetically modified products (GMO) in the country in order to win public trust.

Pastor Nathan Lihanda, the Deputy General Superintendent of Friends Church Nairobi, argued that GMO is a technical matter and thus should not be led by politicians, who largely do not understand it, and are not trusted by the public.

He said the earlier understanding of GMO has been associated with dangerous foods causing cancers and other non-communicable diseases. However, following sensitisation, “We now know it is a science-led process of improving production, by enhancing yields, protecting against disease and pests, and improving desirable traits,” Lihanda said when Kenya University Biotechnology Consortium (KUBICO) team visited the church.

He said that as churches they are ready and in a better position to partner with the scholars in sensitising the public on GMO.

“We come from a point of trust, and have a huge congregation in the churches every Sunday. We are willing to partner in passing the same message down to our congregants,” Lihanda stated. KUBICO Secretary General Joel Ochieng said the locally developed Bt maize is protected against the stem borer pest, enabling farmers to maximise their production. He said the purpose of genetic engineering in agriculture is to improve food security.

“We urge Kenyans to discern and separate genuine concerns from people whose main job is to oppose anything that can move households out of poverty,” he stated.

“We have active regulatory systems in place to ensure that genetic engineering is conducted in a safe manner, and both the process and products are thoroughly assessed to assure safety before being allowed into our food systems.”

Ochieng, who heads the Agricultural Biotechnology Programme at the University of Nairobi, explained that his team of scholars and the church will formalise the partnership and draw a roadmap for public sensitization in the coming weeks.

Youth leaders in the church confirmed initially they had the wrong impression and message on GMO but believe that the new technology applied well will enable every Kenyan to put something on the table.

Last month, leaders of Pentecostal and Evangelical Churches of Kenya supported GMO research and products being developed by KUBICO and partners.

The leaders, led by National Chairman Reverend Fredrick Ngugi and Bishop John Chere of Githunguri, the clergy said the public seminars conducted by the Consortium experts have allayed the fears that most of their members had on GMO.