Court of Appeal bars importation of GMO foods

Court of Appeal bars importation of GMO foods

With this ruling, the government is now barred from implementing its GMO policy until further legal processes are concluded.

The Court of Appeal has stopped the government from allowing the importation, cultivation, and consumption of genetically modified organisms (GMO) foods and crops.

The ruling overturns the October 3, 2022, decision that lifted the ban on GMOs.

The case was filed by civil society groups, including the Kenya Peasants League (KPL), who argued that GMOs pose risks to food safety, biodiversity, and local farmers' livelihoods.

The court agreed that the government had failed to conduct adequate public participation and scientific risk assessments before lifting the ban.

Kenya had banned GMOs in 2012 due to safety concerns.

However, in 2022, President William Ruto’s administration lifted the ban, arguing that GMOs would help address food insecurity and drought-related hunger.

The move sparked opposition from farmers, activists, and religious leaders, leading to legal battles.

With this ruling, the government is now barred from implementing its GMO policy until further legal processes are concluded.

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