Agriculture Cabinet Secretary nominee Mutahi Kagwe has revealed that should he take over the Agriculture slot, he will impose a ban on the importation of some GMO products.
Appearing before the Committee on Appointments at the National Assembly Mini Chamber Kagwe noted that priority would be given to GMOs developed by Kenyan scientists.
He went on to maintain that he would not preside over a system where Kenyans are used as guinea pigs by other foreign nations.
”GMOs that we have created for ourselves using our own scientists are those that we should be considering on a first-line basis,” Kagwe stated.
According to Kagwe, Kenya will only allow companies to bring in the GMOs after subjecting them to substantial medical and historical related checks to ensure the well-being of Kenyans.
”The maize that we are growing today is not the maize that we originally got from Mexico centuries ago. It is a different one.It is critical for us to ensure that we are not used by people for testing of their GMO products. If you have a GMO product that you have designed yourself, use it in your own country,” he added.
The former CS moreover disclosed that he was in possession of credible information about foreign companies attempting to sell counterfeit and banned products to Kenya.
Kagwe was the first to appear before the committee with former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui scheduled to follow.
