This decision follows a dispute between peasant farmers and the government over the lifting of a decade-long ban on GMO products.

In its ruling, the Court of Appeal highlighted concerns that if genetically modified crops were allowed to be imported, planted, or sold before the completion of the legal process, it could be impossible to reverse such actions. The court’s intervention comes after an association representing Kenyan farmers and consumers raised concerns that the public had not been adequately consulted about the government’s decision to lift the GMO ban.

"The Court of Appeal ordered a halt to the unrestricted cultivation and importation of genetically modified Organism GMO foods. It ruled that if such crops were approved and planted or sold before the conclusion of the legal battle, it could be too late to put the genie back in the bottle," said a statement from the court.

This ruling temporarily suspends the government's decision, which had been taken in response to ongoing food insecurity challenges in the country. In 2012, Kenya imposed a ban on GMOs, but the ban was lifted in 2022, as the government sought solutions to combat widespread food shortages exacerbated by droughts and other climate-related factors.

While the High Court had dismissed earlier claims by the farmers' association, arguing that the government had implemented sufficient safety measures for GMO crops, the Court of Appeal’s decision has added new complexity to the situation. The ongoing legal proceedings will now determine the long-term fate of genetically modified foods in Kenya.

--ChannelAfrica--