KENYAN CIVIL SOCIETY HAILS COURT DECISION BLOCKING GMOS, CALLS FOR FARMER RIGHTS PROTECTION.
BY NJOKI KARANJA
NAIROBI, KENYA – A coalition of civil society organizations has welcomed the Court of Appeal’s recent ruling to temporarily halt the importation of genetically modified (GM) crops into Kenya, calling it a "pivotal moment" in the fight for food sovereignty and farmers' rights.
Greenpeace Africa, the Kenya Peasants League, and the Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya (BIBA Kenya) praised the ruling at a press conference in Nairobi, emphasizing its potential impact on an upcoming seed litigation case in May. The case could shape the future of farmer-managed seed systems not only in Kenya but across Africa.
A Win for Farmers and Food Sovereignty
Elizabeth Atieno, Food Sovereignty Campaign Lead at Greenpeace Africa, described the decision as a victory for farmers and consumers.
“This court ruling is a triumph for Kenyan farmers and consumers alike. The temporary halt on GMO imports provides us with a critical opportunity to reassess our agricultural policies and promote solutions that truly serve our farmers and protect our biodiversity,” Atieno stated.
She called for greater emphasis on agroecological practices, which she said enhance food security while preserving the environment.
Ann Maina of BIBA Kenya warned that corporate control over seeds threatens farmers’ ability to sustain themselves.
“The struggle for seed sovereignty is a battle against corporate control over our livelihoods and food systems. Farmers must control their seeds – the essential foundation of our food supply,” Maina said, adding that the court's decision reaffirmed the right of farmers to save and exchange seeds without corporate interference.
Upcoming Litigation to Set Legal Precedent
Cidi Otieno from the Kenya Peasants League stressed that the upcoming seed litigation in May will be crucial in defining Kenya’s food systems.
“We're fighting not just against GMOs, but for the protection of our indigenous seed varieties, farmers' rights to save and exchange seeds, and the preservation of our agricultural biodiversity,” he said.
A farmer representative at the event echoed these concerns, warning that criminalizing traditional seed-saving practices would make farmers dependent on multinational corporations.
“If these laws criminalize our right to save and exchange seeds, we will be forced into permanent dependency. Farmer-managed seed systems are climate-resilient, cost-effective, and culturally significant. These laws must recognize and protect them,” the farmer stated.
Call for Unified Action
The press conference underscored agroecology as a viable alternative to GMOs, with stakeholders highlighting its role in promoting biodiversity, restoring soil health, and enhancing climate resilience.
The coalition called on farmers, civil society, and policymakers to actively engage in the upcoming court case, stressing that a favorable ruling could set a precedent influencing food sovereignty policies across Africa.
As Kenya navigates the future of its agricultural landscape, civil society groups are urging the government to prioritize policies that safeguard farmer-managed seed systems and protect the country’s agricultural heritage from corporate dominance.
