Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA) began nationwide public consultations on Monday, December 30, 2024, on genetically modified BT maize ahead of its potential market introduction.
The hearings are taking place in major maize-growing regions, including Kakamega, Uasin Gishu, Machakos and Trans Nzoia counties, NBA officials said.
“We value the input of various stakeholders, and that is why we are moving across the country to listen to them including our farmers,” said Josphat Muchiri, acting director of biosafety research and compliance at NBA.
The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation and African Agricultural Technology Foundation applied last month to release the MON 89034 BT maize variety.
The crop is engineered to resist fall armyworms and maize stem borers, two major regional pests.
The consultations follow mandatory requirements under Kenya’s 2009 Biosafety Act for public notification and input before the environmental release of genetically modified products.
Additional regulatory steps including environmental impact assessments and performance trials, must be completed before commercialisation, Muchiri said.
The NBA published notices in newspapers, the Kenya Gazette and its website to inform the public.
The agency will conduct hearings at the Regional Commissioner’s office in Kakamega, Machakos Agricultural College, and the Agricultural Machinery Services facility in Uasin Gishu.
NBA officials emphasised their mandate to ensure GMO safety for human health, animals and the environment under national biosafety regulations.