Environmental and food sovereignty advocates have raised fresh concerns over corporate control of Kenya’s food systems, warning that agribusiness giants may exploit policy loopholes to reintroduce Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) despite a recent court ruling against them.
Speaking at a press conference, Greenpeace Africa, the Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya (BIBA Kenya), and other civil society groups emphasized that the battle over GMOs is far from over.
They cautioned that multinational corporations could still manipulate seed policies, threatening Kenya’s agricultural biodiversity and making farmers dependent on costly, patented seeds.The High Court’s decision to uphold the ban on GMOs was hailed as a victory for food sovereignty, but activists argue that corporate interests will persist.
They warn that restrictive seed laws—aligned with international agreements like UPOV 91—could strip farmers of the right to save and share seeds, forcing them to purchase new seeds every season.“This ruling reaffirmed what we have been saying all along—GMOs are not about feeding Kenya; they are about controlling Kenya’s food system,” said Ann Maina, National Coordinator of BIBA Kenya.
With a critical seed litigation case set for May, the outcome could reshape Kenya’s agricultural landscape. If corporations succeed in enforcing stricter seed patent laws, activists fear that food diversity, affordability, and farmer independence could be severely compromised.“This case is not just about farmers—it affects every Kenyan,” warned Elizabeth Atieno, Food Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa. “When farmers lose control over seeds, we all lose access to diverse, healthy, and affordable food.”Calling for a shift toward agroecology, activists urged the government to invest in locally adapted, climate-resilient seed varieties rather than relying on imported GM seeds that demand costly chemical inputs.
As the legal battle intensifies, civil society groups remain steadfast in their demand: food policies should serve Kenyan farmers and consumers, not multinational corporations.
