A video of Azimo Leader detailing the effects of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) went viral on Sunday, May 7.
The video was captured during Raila’s visit to Shakahola in Kilifi County on Friday, May 5.
While speaking moments after he was denied entry to Shakahola Forest where close to 100 people lost their lives under cult leader Paul Mackenzie, Raila revealed that the government had brought GMOs through the backdoor.
“We are in a very sad state as a country because the government has started a program to import GMOs.
“When you use GMOs, it brings adverse health effects with men developing female organs and women start exhibiting growth of male reproductive organs,” the former prime minister made the unsubstantiated claims.
Raila called on the government to put the same measures as the United States when distributing GMO maize.
“In the US, there is a law that dictates that you must label any product that is GMO and separate it from organically produced foodstuffs,” Raila advised on what the government should do.
Responding to the clip, Kenyans dismissed Raila for making assertions that lacked any scientific evidence.
“Raila Odinga should avoid lying to the public for the sake of political mileage,” one tweep commented.
His position was supported by another social media user who commented, “It seems the politicians will do anything just to get Kenyans back on the streets for demonstrations.”
President William Ruto had earlier dismissed claims that there was a possibility GMOs could cause a biological change in humans.
“Some leaders have been going around saying all manner of things, including lies that men will grow breasts and women beards if they consume GMOs.
“Have you seen me grow breasts yet I have consumed GMO foods,” the President posed to Kenyans on January 4, 2023.
Dismissing the claims made by the opposition, he remarked that they were against his efforts to make the country food secure.
On October 4, 2022, the cabinet lifted a 2012 ban imposed on the importation of GMOs.
The High Court though on November 28, 2022, suspended importation of GMO maize after a case was filed by a farmer's lobby group called the Kenyan Peasants League challenging the cabinet’s resolution.
In February 2023, a study done by US firm Alliance for Science mentioned Raila Odinga and Roots Part George Wajackoyah among individuals spreading misinformation concerning GMOs in Africa.
"Prominent offenders were opposition leader Raila, who made many false statements alleging the negative health impacts of GMOs, and George Wajackoyah, who claimed that GMOs would make men and women develop deformities,” the report read in part.
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