Ugandan Organic Farmers and Food rights lawyers under the Centre for Food and adequate Living rights (CEFROHT) have sued the Government of Kenya over the lifting of a ban on Geneticvallly modified Organisms (GMOs).
Faced with a hard hiting drought, Kenya’s president William Ruto revealed a cabinet decision in October 2022 to “effectively” lift the country’s ban on openly cultivating genetically modified crops, reversing a decade-old decision.
CEFROHT and Ugandan farmers have now dragged President Ruto and his entire government to the East African court of Justice challenging this decision which they say endangers all East African states.
Lawyer David Kabanda, the executive director of the centre for food and adequate living rights who is also leading the law suit emphasized the need to protect East Africa’s seeds against GMOs.
“Seed is East Africa’s goldmine and only source of livelihood to the majority of smallholder farmers especially in rural communities which deserves utmost legal protection.” he said
CEFROHT says this decision by the Kenyan Government is not only ruthless but also unreasonable and illegal.
A Genetically Modified Organism(GMO)is an an animal, plant, or microbe whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques in order to favor the expression of desired physiological traits or the production of desired biological products .
Kabanda says the East African Treaty creates legal obligations that Kenya is trampling with their acceptance of GMOs on the market.
“Amidst the discussions on GMOs in Kenya, the treaty for establishment of the East African community creates clear legal obligations which bar GMOs. Among the fundamental principles laid down by the treaty is peaceful coexistence and good neighborliness, it also creates legal obligations to partner states to promote the development of good nutritional standards and popularization of indigenous food.” adding that
“Under the treaty ,East African Community has taken all the necessary steps to improve coexistence by encouraging free movement of goods including seed among the member states .In regards to enforcement, the treaty established the East African Court of justice to ensure adherence to the rule of law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with its provisions”
It is said that only 4 companies control 60% of the propriety GMO seeds globally and this unprecedented level control raises significant concerns over the erosion of agrobiodiversity farmer’s rights to seed livelihoods and food security.
