By Alloys Musyoka
A section of Kwale County residents has welcomed the adoption of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Kenya, acknowledging that public resistance to the technology has largely been driven by misinformation and fear.
The shift in perspective follows a comprehensive public awareness walk and sensitization campaign held in Msambweni sub-county. The initiative was jointly organized by the national Biosafety authority, Kataru Concept Africa Farming Technologies, and the Kinondo Walk Movement.
Following the sensitization drive, local farmers and community members expressed optimism, stating that embracing biotechnology is a vital path toward mitigating the country’s persistent food shortages and mitigating climate change impacts.
Popo Mwakoja, a Kwale resident who participated in the drive, admitted that community members had long been misled by unverified claims regarding the safety of GM crops.
“I have lived in fear over GMOs because of what has always been said out here,” Mwakoja shared. “But with the information shared today by the National Biosafety Authority, it is clear that GMO technology is the way to go in ending food insecurity.”
Speaking during the event, the NBA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ann Karimi, emphasized that the authority is actively working to demystify biotechnology while strictly enforcing consumer safety.
“The NBA, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, is advocating for biotechnology as a critical tool for national food safety,” said Dr. Karimi. “Beyond dispelling public myths, we are streamlining the legal approval processes and tightly enforcing import protocols to ensure strict safety compliance across the board.”
Echoing her remarks, NBA Board of Directors Chairman David Wamatsi linked the aggressive anti-GMO propaganda to commercial sabotage. He alleged that major players in the agrochemical market are behind the smear campaigns to protect their business interests.
“Those heavily opposed to GMO food products in Kenya are part of cartels working in the insecticides sector,” Wamatsi claimed. “Many of them own shops selling insecticides to farmers. They are fully aware that pest-resistant GMO crops significantly reduce the need for external chemical applications. Just like what happened in America, they are terrified of losing their business revenue.”
The campaign highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in reshaping the agricultural sector. James Kataru, Team Leader at Kataru Concept Africa Farming Technologies, reiterated his organization’s commitment to bridging the knowledge gap.
“We are working hand-in-hand with the National Biosafety Authority to ensure all Kenyans get access to accurate, scientifically-backed information about GMOs,” Kataru stated. “Equipping our farmers with the right facts is fundamental to building a self-reliant and food-secure future.”
As climate disruptions continue to impact traditional agricultural output along the coastal region, stakeholders believe that intensive grassroots drives will be instrumental in helping the country safely integrate biotechnology into mainstream farming.
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