A Kenyan court on Thursday, October 12, rejected a complaint from an association of lawyers challenging the authorities’ decision to authorize the cultivation and importation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to cope with the severe drought that is rife in the country.
The government of President William Ruto had, just after coming to power, authorized in October 2022 the importation and cultivation of GMOs, banned since 2012. The Law Society of Kenya (LSK), a professional association of lawyers, had challenged the decision, arguing that it was unconstitutional and raised concerns about crop safety.
But Oscar Angote, a judge at the Nairobi Environment and Land Court, ruled there was no evidence to show any harm to nature or human health. “As a country, we need to trust the institutions we have and call them to order when they break the law,” he said, referring to government agencies that regulate genetically modified foods.
An LSK official told AFP that no decision had been made on whether to appeal. Another complaint, filed by Paul Mwangi, a lawyer close to the opposition, is still pending before the courts.
Kenya had banned the cultivation of GMOs in particular to protect small farms, the majority across the country. The country, the economic powerhouse of East Africa, was criticized after making this decision, in particular by the United States, a major producer of GMOs. Activists and agricultural lobby groups had denounced the authorities’ 2022 decision, saying it was “hasty” and threatened the livelihoods of small farmers. They called for the ban to be “reinstated.”
Kenya is experiencing a drought of unprecedented intensity for forty years. Agriculture is the main contributor to the country’s economy, accounting for around 21% of GDP in 2022, according to authorities. Former Minister of Agriculture, William Ruto promised to revitalize this sector.