Kenya Approves Biosafety Law

After rigorous and extensive stakeholder consultations since 2002, the Kenyan Parliament overwhelmingly passed the Biosafety Bill on December 9, 2008. The Bill was supported by Cabinet ministers and other parliamentarians who debated it from a highly informed perspective. The Bill is a fundamental instrument to comply with requirements of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and safeguard Kenyans against unintended use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) especially transboundary movements. Minister for Agriculture William Ruto said that "The benefits arising out of the Bill are enormous. It gives this country a comprehensive and coordinated manner in which to tap benefits from research and enhance self sufficiency in food production”.

The law seeks to facilitate responsible research and commerce in GM products through a transparent science-based and predictable process. Contributing to the debate, Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology Sally Kosgey stressed "We should not be afraid of science or be afraid to move forward. The country is struggling for food and we want to get our scientists not to live in Geneva and elsewhere, but to have the protection of the law and do research here in their own country”. In her concluding remarks and vote of thanks Dr. Kosgey cautioned the media against sensationalizing matters of national interest but instead to consult and cover issues objectively and in a balanced manner. In recognizing her efforts, Minister for Lands James Orengo said “I just want to note the able manner in which the Minister has piloted this Bill through the three stages, and the mode of consensus that has been achieved during the debate in the House. I believe that if some of us can follow her footsteps, business in the House will be undertaken very expeditiously."

The law now awaits presidential assent and once gazetted, modalities of establishing the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) will be initiated to steer regulatory approvals and decision-making in moving on-going confined field trials of GM insect- resistant cotton, maize and other products to the next level of commercialization. The passing of the Bill is a major milestone because of the strategic importance of Kenya in Africa and the international community. The country now joins the ranks of other African countries that have enacted biosafety laws including Cameroon, Tanzania, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Namibia, Mali and Zimbabwe. In September 2008, the government launched a five-year National Biotechnology Awareness Strategy (BioAWARE-Kenya) as a mechanism for improving public understanding and awareness of biotechnology through dissemination of accurate, timely and balanced information.

For more information on the Biosafety Law, contact Mr. Harrison Macharia,Chief Science Secretary, The National Council for Science and Technology at harrison@ncstnbo.or.ke or harimacharia@yahoo.com