The government has welcomed the establishment of a multi-secretarial committee for the implementation of the Cartagena protocol on biosafety which will be led by the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) as the competent national institution on matters of Genetically Modified Organisms.
The membership of the Committee includes representatives from Ministry of Agriculture, State Department of Tourism and Wildlife, Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, National Biosafety Authority, National Commission Science Technology Innovation, National Environment Management, Kenya University Biotechnology Consortium, University of Nairobi and Biosafety Appeal Board.
The Ministry of Foreign affairs and Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) are other key institutions that have since been invited to be part of the Committee.
Speaking during the induction retreat in Nairobi, an Under-Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Abdullahi Osman urged the Committee to step up its work as outlined in its Terms of Reference.
“We already have a Committee in place with its work already cut out and therefore, it has to move with speed and implement what is provided for in the Cartagena Protocol,” stressed Osman who represented Secretary Administration in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Rashid Khator, during the internal board induction of the National Biosafety Authority.
It is important to note that Kenya is a signatory to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, having signed in 2000 and ratified it in 2003. The Protocol obligates parties to promote and facilitate public awareness, education and participation concerning the safe transfer, handling and use of living-modified organisms in relation to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking risks to human health into account.
Further, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety also emphasizes the importance of information sharing and the establishment of a Biosafety Clearing-House for exchanging scientific, technical and legal information on living modified organisms (LMOs) between countries.
Already, the Committee has held two sessions since its inauguration last year in December by NBA acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Nehemiah Ngetich.
The Committee is tasked with advising the Authority on all matters regarding the implementation of the protocol, preparation of country position papers during international negotiations of the protocol and advising the government on accession and domestication of the Kuala Lumpur supplementary protocol on liability and redress.
Additionally, the Committee is also mandated to participate in regular committee meetings to review the implementation progress of the protocols and advise on resource mobilization and access to funding for the implementation of the protocol and support in the national reporting on the implementation of the protocol
On the other hand, the Biosafety Act Cap 320 mandates the National Biosafety Authority to promote awareness and education among the general public in matters relating to biosafety as well as establish a Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) to serve as a means through which information is made available to facilitate the exchange of scientific, technical, environmental and legal information on, and experience with, living modified organisms.
The Authority has clear jurisdiction over all genetically modified organisms in Kenya—whether approved, illegal, or unintended. Accession to the Supplementary Protocol would further empower NBA by reinforcing its role in addressing liability issues as stipulated in Section 17 of the Biosafety Act, especially in cases involving unintentional releases or unauthorized GMO imports.
Also speaking during the induction, Board Chairperson Prof. Jenesio Kinyamario emphasized the importance of the three-day induction noting that it is aimed at ensuring that new Board members are adequately informed and supported to effectively fulfill their roles and responsibilities within the Authority, and also help refresh and further empower the older members to sharpen their skills.
“The training is expected to provide the members with the necessary knowledge, resources, and skills to enable them contribute meaningfully to the board’s decision-making and strategic direction for NBA,” said Prof. Kinyamario.
Meanwhile, this programme comes at a time when the Board has also undergone various capacity building initiatives including corporate governance and resource mobilization and it would therefore further enhance the Board’s capacity to deliver on its mandate.
The Authority is established under the Biosafety Act, Cap 320 of the Laws of Kenya with the mandate of regulating the transfer, handling, and use of GMOs and ensuring the safety of human and animal health, while safeguarding the environment.
The Board Chairperson revealed that the Authority’s 2023–2027 Strategic Plan has eight Key Result Areas, which outline the Authority’s direction over the next five years and requires approximately Sh2 billion for full implementation.
“I urge Management to step up efforts in resource mobilization, particularly through Appropriations-in-Aid. The Board will play its part and ensure its full support in your endeavors,” stated Prof Kinyamario.
By Michael Omondi
