Kenyan MP Calls on New Government to Rescind Ban on GM Imports

A Kenyan Member of Parliament (MP), Hon. Dr. Wilbur Ottichilo has called on the country's new Government to rescind the ban on GMO imports imposed by the previous administration. Hon. Ottichilo made the call during the launch of the Global Status on Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2012 Report on 27 June in Nairobi.

"We need to take a bold step forward as a country and fully accept biotechnology. As time goes by and the effects of climate change become more and more intense, the country's food security will inevitably be threatened. We therefore have to start considering use of new agricultural production technologies like drought tolerant maize," he noted.

Hon. Ottichilo also questioned the prudence of banning GM imports to Kenya in a year when maize, which is Kenyans staple food crop, has failed as a result of the Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease. "Where is Kenya going to import maize from to feed the citizens? If we go to South Africa, South America, China or the US, they all grow GM maize.This is exactly why we need to re-think this decision."

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