The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has announced plans to open two new border offices as it intensifies monitoring and surveillance of Genetically modified Organisms (GMOs) products across the Country.
In a press statement to newsrooms, acting NBA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nehemiah Ngetich hinted that the new border offices will be located in Moyale and Isebania.
“In the current financial year, the Authority plans to open Moyale and Isebania border offices, and arrangements are already underway to secure office spaces and deploy staff to these new stations early next year,” revealed Ngetich.
According to the acting CEO, the Authority has offices already operating in Mombasa, Busia, Namanga, Malaba, Lunga Lunga, and Taita Taveta.
“The Authority stands at the frontline of safeguarding our nation from potential risks associated with modern biotechnology. As regulators, we must ensure that every GMO entering, transiting, or being developed within our country meets the highest safety and ethical standards,” affirmed Ngetich.
This unique mandate, he continued, calls for vigilance, professionalism, and technical excellence.
“It requires us not only to assess and regulate scientific innovations but also to enforce biosafety measures at our borders—the first and most critical point of control,” he added, describing the
He stressed that the Authority’s officers at these entry points are the gatekeepers who prevent unauthorized or unapproved GMOs from entering the national system.
Further, Ngetich said the Authority is mandated to exercise general supervision and control over the transfer, handling and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
This, he claimed, is done with a view to ensuring the safety of human and animal health, and the provision of an adequate level of protection of the environment.
He said Kenya has approved several genetically modified organisms (GMOs) crops for confined field trials across the Country. “The field trials are; Bt maize in Kiboko and Kitale, drought tolerant maize in Kiboko, Virus Resistant Sweet potato in Kakamega, Virus Resistant Cassava (VIRCA) in Mtwapa, Thika and Alupe, BioCassava Plus (BC+) at Alupe in Busia County.
Others are GM potato at KALRO, Molo in Nakuru, Muguga in Kiambu County and Njabini, Nyandarua county and Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) and African Biofortified Sorghum (ABS) in Kiboko, Makueni County,” outlined Ngetich.
He emphasized that the Authority has the mandate to facilitate approvals of safe biotech crops and animal breeds that are resistant to pests and diseases leading to increased food production.
by Michael Omondi
