Naivasha – Thirteen years after Kenya began regulating genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the conversation is far from settled.
Next week, the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) will host a major conference in Naivasha to take stock of the country’s progress and its missteps in adopting modern biotechnology. The event will bring together government officials, scientists, farmers, and civil society in what’s being billed as a national dialogue on trust and safety.
The three-day meeting, which opens on Tuesday, 10 June, will be officially launched by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe. It will examine Kenya’s scientific, legal and public response to GMOs since the Biosafety Act was enacted in 2009.
Science, safety—and suspicion
For Nehemiah Ngetich, Acting CEO of the NBA, the theme of this year’s forum “13 Years Later: Building Trust and Ensuring Safety of GMOs” reflects both the Authority’s accomplishments and the public unease that still surrounds the topic.
“We have a clear legal and regulatory framework,” said Mr Ngetich in a statement ahead of the conference. “But safety alone isn’t enough. Trust is essential.”
That trust has been tested. While Kenya has approved some GMO crops for import and field trials, opponents have raised concerns about food safety, environmental risks, and lack of transparency. Others have questioned whether the push for biotech is being driven more by foreign corporate interests than local needs.
Supporters argue the opposite that GMOs are a vital tool for improving food security in the face of drought, pests, and a growing population. For them, the question is not if, but how to introduce these technologies responsibly.
What’s on the table?
Topics at this year’s conference are wide-ranging. Sessions will cover everything from how GM products are assessed for safety, to how they’re labelled on supermarket shelves.
Risk assessments, Mr Ngetich said, focus on allergenicity, toxicity, and environmental impact evaluated under both Kenyan law and international agreements like the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
Another key issue is labelling. Advocates say clear GMO labels help consumers make informed choices and improve accountability. But critics argue that labelling can also stoke fear if not handled sensitively.
There will also be a spotlight on new developments in biotech, including gene editing and synthetic biology. Organisers say the role of artificial intelligence in speeding up crop development and improving biosafety monitoring will also be discussed.
Collaboration—and controversy
The NBA says the forum will highlight how public-private partnerships and grassroots organisations can work together to guide GMO research and oversight. That includes collaboration with county governments, who are increasingly influential in shaping local agricultural policy.
But any national conversation about GMOs in Kenya inevitably touches on deeper issues who controls land, who profits from agricultural innovations, and whether the public has a real say in how science is deployed.
“We must move from technical debates to inclusive dialogue,” said one biosafety expert scheduled to speak at the event, who asked not to be named because they were not authorised to speak publicly. “Otherwise, the suspicion will only grow.”
Kenya’s GMO timeline
Kenya adopted its National Biotechnology Development Policy in 2006, followed by the Biosafety Act in 2009. Since then, four key regulations have been introduced covering contained use, environmental release, imports and exports, and labelling.
The NBA also serves as the country’s focal point for the Cartagena Protocol, a global treaty that governs the cross-border movement of GMOs.
Despite the frameworks in place, challenges remain especially in balancing innovation with safety, and science with public perception.
As Naivasha prepares to host this crucial conversation, the stakes are clear. How Kenya handles GMOs could shape not just its food systems, but the trust between government, science, and the people.
