The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has announced plans to open two new border offices as it intensifies monitoring and surveillance of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) products across the Country.
Speaking during new staff capacity building exercise at KALRO Kandara, acting Chief Executive Officer Nehemiah Ngetich said the new will be in Moyale and Isebania.
“In the current financial year, the Authority plans to open Moyale and Isebania border offices, and arrangements are already underway to secure office spaces and deploy staff to these new stations early next year,” said Ngetich.
The Authority has already offices in Mombasa, Busia, Namanga, Malaba, Lunga Lunga, and Taita Taveta and by adding the Moyale and Isebania, it aims to safeguard than country against GMOs.
“The Authority stands at the frontline of safeguarding our nation from potential risks associated with modern biotechnology. As regulators, we must ensure that every GMO entering, transiting, or being developed within our country meets the highest safety and ethical standards,” said Ngetich.
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He went on: “This unique mandate calls for vigilance, professionalism, and technical excellence. It requires us not only to assess and regulate scientific innovations but also to enforce biosafety measures at our borders—the first and most critical point of control. Our officers at these entry points are the gatekeepers who prevent unauthorized or unapproved GMOs from entering the national system.”
The Authority is mandated to exercise general supervision and control over the transfer, handling and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which doeswith a view to ensuring the safety of human and animal health, and the provision of an adequate level of protection of the environment.
Ngetich further revealed that the Authority has approved several genetically modified organisms (GMOs) crops for confined field trials across the Country. The field trials are; Bt maize in Kiboko and Kitale, drought tolerant maize in Kiboko, Virus Resistant Sweetpotato in Kakamega, Virus Resistant Cassava (VIRCA) in Mtwapa, Thika and Alupe, BioCassava Plus (BC+) at Alupe in Busia County, GM potato at KALRO, Molo in Nakuru, Muguga in Kiambu County and Njambini, Nyandarua county and Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) and African Biofortified Sorghum (ABS) in Kiboko, Makueni County.
The Authority facilitates the approvals of safe biotech crops, animal breeds that are resistant to pests and diseases leading to increased food production.
By Juma Ndigo
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