KENYA HAS lifted a ban on genetically modified (GM) crops following a 10 year ban. 

The country’s new president says his cabinet made the decision as the East African country continues to face its worst drought in 40 years. 

In a statement issued by president William Ruto’s office, he announced the cultivation and importation of genetically modified white maize is now authorised in the East African country. 

“Cabinet vacated its earlier decision of 8th November, 2012 prohibiting the open cultivation of genetically modified crops and the importation of food crops and animal feeds produced through biotechnology innovations; effectively lifting the ban on Genetically Modified Crops,” the statement read.

GM animal feeds will now also be legal in the country. 

The decision makes Kenya the second country in Africa to authorise GM foods.

South Africa  became the first during the 1990s and started with GM maize in 1996. 

The country then followed with cotton in 1997 and soybeans in 2001.

On November 8, 2012, former president Mwai Kibaki banned GM food, following safety concerns about the food by then-minister for Public Health Beth Mugo. 

The lifting of the ban reportedly follows the recommendation of a task force which was put in place to review food safety and GMOS. 

Food insecurity and climate change

In March, the UN issued a stark warning that more than 20 million people in eastern Africa face rising food insecurity and famine.

Climate change and an extreme weather condition known as La Niña, has prevented rain for a fourth season in the region, which has led to severe drought and food shortages. 

Now Kenyan authorities hope the lifting of the ban on GM products will help to improve food security and is a “step towards redefining agriculture in Kenya.”

“As part of the medium to long term responses to the ongoing drought, and as a progressive step towards significantly redefining agriculture in Kenya by adopting crops that are resistant to pests and disease, Cabinet also considered various expert and technical reports on adoption of biotechnology; including reports of the Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA), World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United States of America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA),” the statement added.

Agriculture is one of Kenya’s key industries accounting for 20% of GDP.