Makueni County residents have received Ksh96 million worth of climate resistant seeds from the county government.
The distribution was done just two days after Microsoft founder Bill Gates toured the region and advocated the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) to attain food security.
Makueni county is largely semi-arid region and the seeds came at a time when the region has not had adequate rainfall for four seasons.
The county government through governor Mutula Kilonzo has distributed 149 tonnes of maize, sorghum (127), green grams (85) and 40 tonnes of beans.
Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili revealed that each ward will benefit from the distribution.
“We have mapped out every region in the county, drier and low rainfall parts like Kibwezi and lower Mbooni will be given sorghum and green grams to plant.
"Farmers in cooler and higher rainfall zones like Kilome, Kaiti and parts of Makueni and Upper Mbooni will receive maize and beans to plant,” Mulili explained on November 20.
Makueni County government was not reachable for comment if the distributed seeds were GMOs.
However, speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, a renowned scientist clarified that drought resistant seeds are not necessarily GMOs.
“While I have no specifics about the seeds being distributed at Makueni, drought resistant seeds do not necessarily mean genetically modified,” he explained.
The professor explained that you can get climate friendly seedlings through a process known as breeding for drought resistant.
“You can get the seeds through resistant breeding which means cross pollinating between two varieties,” he told Kenyans.co.ke.
President William Ruto sparked the GMO debate after his cabinet approved importation of genetically modified maize in a bid to attain food security.
On Friday, November 18, Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria revealed that the government had deliberately allowed importation of GMO maize, drawing widespread condemnation.
