Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Sunday, November 20 broke his silence after Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria made controversial remarks about Genetically Modified maize.
Raila Odinga termed Kuria’s sentiments as callous and regrettable and opposed plans by President William Ruto's administration to import genetically modified foods.
"Party Leader Raila Odinga opposes the planned importation of GMO maize by the Ruto administration," read a statement from the Orange Democratic Movement - ODM.
“GMO’s are dangerous to both human and animals lives and that they have been banned in major European countries and Americas.
“Parliament should take the lead on this matter,” Raila remarked in a terse statement on Sunday, November 20.
“Moses Kuria’s remarks on this matter are regrettable. To say that even without GMOs, Kenyans will die anyway is a mockery to the people of Kenya,” Raila added.
Raila Odinga also sympathized with Kenyan farmers noting that they will bear the brunt of GMO importation.
“The directive will flood Kenyan market with cheap maize forcing farmers to sell their produce at a loss to match the competition,” Raila sympathized.
The Azimio leader vowed to stand in solidarity with Kenyan farmers, signaling a looming showdown between the Executive and the opposition.
“We will oppose this directive and stand in solidarity with our farmers because they have invested a lot to grow maize and they cannot be impoverished by imported product,” Odinga vowed.
Moses Kuria's remarks on GMOs and a revelation by the CS that Cabinet had deliberately made a decision to allow imports sparked widespread condemnation.
“Being in this country you are a candidate for death. And because there are many things competing for death, there is nothing wrong with adding GMOs to that list," Moses Kuria had remarked while defending GMOs in November 18.
Ruto opened door for importation of GMO maize on his first cabinet sitting on October 03, 2022.
“The cabinet has lifted the ban on Genetically Modified Crops, by dint of the executive action open cultivation and importation of white (GMO) maize is now authorised,” part of cabinet memo read.
