Dr. Roy Mugiira, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Kenyan National Biosafety Authority (NBA) recently presented the “Biosafety in Kenya” for SEARCA’s Special Seminar last May 19, 2011,where he reported that there is a policy, legal framework, administrative mechanism, and public participation already in place for the country’s biosafety framework.

The NBA is the body that controls and governs the use and transfer of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as well as the competent authority on matters of biosafety and biotechnology.

Dr. Mugiira shared that the Kenyan government already has policy statements recognizing biotechnology as a potential tool for poverty reduction and food security enhancement. The government also recognizes its role to safeguard the citizens and the environment from possible risks associated with GMOs, hence, the creation of the NBA and its collaboration with other concerned government agencies to form the regulatory administrative structure.

Meanwhile, the biosafety regulations, which would specify the details of the requirements for application, have been drafted just April 12 this year during a stakeholders’ workshop. According to Dr. Mugiira, the drafts are currently undergoing legal scrutiny of the state law office and will soon be published. This, he said, would pave the way for the materials that are in confined field trials to be commercially or environmentally released.

Among the GM crops that are already in confined field trials in Kenya are Bt cotton, insect resistant maize, water efficient maize, and virus resistant sweet potato.

When it comes to the public participation, workshops that draft policies, guidelines, and regulations are conducted with stakeholders. Also, awareness campaigns and programs are being implemented.For instance, Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture, which is a key agency in the country’s biosafety framework, is currently implementing program called BioAWARE which aims to increase the people’s awareness on biotechnology and biosafety.

In terms of anti-biotech drives in Kenya, Dr. Mugiira speculated that such efforts were toned down because of constant support pronouncements onmodern biotechnology by high ranking government officials.

When asked aboutGM researchfunding from the government during the open forum, Dr. Mugiira reported that the government support is “general” and that biotechnology is actually one of the flagship programs of state.

Dr. Mugiira, along with the chair of the NBA BoardProf. Miriam Kinyua, and its members Prof. Moses Limo,Mr. OtulaOwuor, and Ms. Cecilia Nzau,were in the Philippines for a study tour to see how the country, which has been considered by many nations to have a model regulatory framework, is handling biosafety issues.

The Special Seminar was co-organized by SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center and the Program for Biosafety System Southeast Asia. (Jenny A. Panopio and Sophia M. Mercado)

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Jenny A. Panopio
Special Project Coordinator & Network Administrator
Biotechnology Information Center
SEAMEO SEARCA
College, Laguna 4031
Email: jap at agri.searca.org
Tel: (63-49)536-2290 loc 169 or 406
Tele/Fax: (63-49)536-4105
URL: www.bic.searca.org