National Biosafety Authority (NBA) and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) on Monday, 27th January 2025, agreed to work together in serving Kenyans at the entry point.
NBA Board of Directors Chairperson Prof. Jenesio Kinyamario led a team of Board members and management in a courtesy call to Kenya Ports Authority, where they met with General Manager Operations Dr. Sudi Mwasonango.
Prof. Kinyamario underscored the importance of the two institutions working together, noting that it is for the benefit of Kenyans and other traders in the region.
“We have an office in Mombasa, which we have strengthened in order to serve the growing population of business people in the region,” said Prof. Kinyamario.
Dr. Mwasonango, for his part, lauded the efforts by the National Biosafety Authority in undertaking its functions and mandate, saying it will go a long way in ensuring GMOs and their derived products that enter the market are up to the required standards.
“We will continue to work with your team that is stationed here at the Port, since as government agencies, we have one goal of serving our various stakeholders,” added the General Manager.
The Authority recently opened three new offices to serve dealers in genetically modified organisms and their derived products.
The new offices are the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) at Malaba in Busia County, Lunga Lunga in Kwale County, and Taita Taveta in Taita Taveta County. Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Nehemiah Ngetich said the move will ensure that no GMOs and their derived products enter the country without the approval of the Authority.
In November last year, the High Court dismissed a case against the lifting of the ban on GMOs and their derived products, reaffirming the Cabinet decision that lifted the ban on GMOs on 3rd October 2022, stating that Kenya has a robust legal and institutional framework to regulate GMOs. He disclosed that the country has about 24 entry points and therefore needs more resources to hire at least 48 officers to man the borders.
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The Authority has the mandate to facilitate the approval of safe biotech crops and animal breeds that are resistant to pests and diseases, leading to increased food production.
The Authority is now seeking a review of the Biosafety Act to cover emerging technologies related to GMOs, such as genome editing, gene-drive technologies, synthetic biology, biosecurity, and pharmaceuticals, and has assured Kenyans of the safety of GMOs and their derived products in the country.
It has a legal, regulatory, and institutional framework that provides for streamlined processes for persons dealing in GMOs and their derived products in the country.
By Ouma Wanzala.
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