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Lawyer and activist Miguna Miguna has criticised President William Ruto’s administration over the importation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) maize and other foods in the country.

In a statement shared via his official Twitter account, the firebrand lawyer who is an ardent supporter of Ruto strongly disagreed with his (Ruto) government over the matter and subsequently termed the decision as ‘reckless and irresponsible’.

According to the activist, Ruto’s government was making haste decisions without preceding national consultations and debates.

“I say a firm NO to the mad rush to import GMO Maize and other foods to Kenya. I believe that it’s irresponsible and amounts to recklessness on the part of the Kenya Kwanza government. Such national policy shifts should be preceded by wide national consultations and debates!” he stated.

Miguna further underscored that the move to import GMOs is unpatriotic and a way to sabotage the country’s economy and added that the decision would kill the farming sector.

“Hard-working Kenyan farmers grow NUTRITIOUS ORGANIC maize. They deserve our support. Craving GMO ugali is both unpatriotic and economic SABOTAGE to our farmers. GMO seeds will kill Kenyan farmers and their livelihoods in 5 years! Liberate your mind!” he added.

I say a firm NO to the mad rush to import GMO Maize and other foods to Kenya. I believe that it’s irresponsible and amounts to recklessness on the part of the Kenya Kwanza government. Such national policy shifts should be preceded by wide national consultations and debates!

— Dr. Miguna Miguna (@MigunaMiguna) November 20, 2022

No to GMOs

Miguna has joined the list of leaders opposing the move by Ruto’s administration after Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary, Moses Kuria announced that they will clear the way for the importation of 10 million bags of duty-free GMO maize to mitigate the effects of hunger.

The announcement by the CS attracted sharp criticism from a section of leaders and a section of social media users.

In a subsequent rejoinder, Kuria, albeit with a light touch stated that there was no harm in bringing in GMO maize as Kenyans were, in any case, dying from so many causes.

“We have two deliberate steps. One is that we have so many things that can kill us in this country,” he said at the Strathmore Business School during a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises forum. “Living in this country you are a candidate for death,” he said, sending the audience into sustained laughter.

Kuria said that because there were so many things competing for death, there would be nothing wrong to add GMOs to that list.

“That’s why we have deliberately decided to allow GMOs into this country,” he said. He explained that the decision to allow the importation of duty-free maize was because the country is experiencing a dire food shortage which has exposed more than four million Kenyans to hunger.

“Until we are satisfied that we have enough maize in this country, our staple food, tomorrow I am signing a gazette notice to allow for the importation of up to 10 million bags of maize, duty-free for the next six months until we achieve food security,” he said arguing that it is the cardinal responsibility as a government to ensure the country is food secure. “I know this will offend some people, from the GMO opponents and importers, but I will do this and will do it as government,” he maintained.

“Even if we will lose some votes here and there, but at least we will see the Kingdom of Heaven,” Kuria continued.

Ban on GMOs lifted

The Cabinet approved the lifting of the ban on October 3, paving way for the cultivation and importation of GMO crops including maize after a decade.

In a statement, the government said the lifting of the ban imposed in 2012 will improve food security in the country amid the ravaging drought that has caused hunger in more than 20 counties.

“In accordance with the recommendation of the Task Force to Review Matters Relating to Genetically Modified Foods and Food Safety, and in fidelity with the guidelines of the National Biosafety Authority on all applicable international treaties including the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB), Cabinet vacated its earlier decision of November 8, 2012, prohibiting the open cultivation of genetically modified crops and the importation of food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology innovations, effectively lifting the ban on Genetically Modified Crops,” the government said.