Nairobi — No genetically modified food (GMO) has been approved for consumption by the State, the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has said.

This comes in the midst of ongoing scientific debate in Kenya over the adverse effects of GMOs.

The authority says it is consulting experts concerning health implications on the use of GMO before a decision is approved for imports.

"We also assure Kenyans that any approved GMO will be clearly labelled to allow individuals to make informed choice," said the authority.

The authority warned that the Biosafety Act has provisions for heavy penalties, which include jail terms for those violating regulations.

"NBA has a structure for a transparent science-based process for reviewing and making decisions on the importation, transfer, handling and use of GMOs and related products," said a press statement.

In the process of conducting its regulatory activities, the authority works closely with other related national regulatory agencies to ensure an adequate protection for the safe transfer, handling and use of GMOs that may have adverse effects on the health of people and environment.

These agencies include National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Chief Public Health Office, Directorate of veterinary services (DVS), National Council of Science and Technology (NCST) and related ministries.

The clarifications from the authority comes in the wake of heated debate on the efficiency of various agencies mandated to check on the quality of the imports, with some Kenyans arguing that GMOs were unsafe and should not be relied on as an alternative to the biting food shortage in the country.

However, Prof James Ochanda, who is the director of University of Nairobi's Centre for Biotechnology and Bio Informatics appealed to Kenyans to support scientifically proven arguments if they were keen to address the biting food insecurity in the country.

"Let's not view those who barricade our roads waving placards as the prophets of truth. Researchers have no time for the streets but they rely on facts to speak out," Prof Ochanda said.

He added, "Any government that is keen to improve the lives of its populations should appreciate the value of offering solutions to various emerging challenges based on facts and not sideshows."

Prof Ochanda cited the ongoing debate over the safety of GM maize saying the government seems to be so much concerned with those who rush to the streets to protest at the expense of the scientifically proven pros and cons of the GMOs.

He said there are many institutions mandated to carry out the safety tests and it was only fair if they can be given a chance to explain about how safe the GM crops were for human consumption and to the environment.

He faulted Anti-GMO crusaders saying they had no interests of the impoverished Kenyans facing starvation in various parts of the country.

"As food biotechnology experts, we are aware that some of these groups are utilizing funds from dealers who have sold agrochemicals and farm inputs that have failed to protect crops against pests and extreme weather conditions," he said.

Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (Kephis) managing director, James Onsando said GMOs were safe for consumption and all that is required is thorough safety checks by the relevant agencies.

He said the GM maize to be imported will not end up in farms as there were stringent laws to ensure total compliance with the importation guidelines.

"There so many agencies working as a team to ascertain the quality of the imports and we have put in place proper mechanisms to ensure that the maize is milled immediately after being cleared at the port," he said.

Mr Onsando said labelling the GM maize will enable consumers in doubt of the safety of the crop to go for alternatives and allayed fears that the GM seeds will end up in farms.

Prof Samuel Gudu, a genetics and plant breeding expert said fears that the importation of GM grains was harmful to human health and the environment and was likely to flood the market ahead of this year's expected harvest, was based on misinformation.

However, farmers through the Kenya Federation of Agricultural Producers Association (KENFAP) said the government should import enough maize to bridge the deficit and come up with better policies to promote large scale agricultural activities.