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The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has embarked on a countrywide public awareness engagement to dispel widespread misinformation on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
The campaign targets farmers and consumers who still remain skeptical about safety and benefits of GMOs.
Under its NBA Strategic Plan 2023-2027, the authority targets to ensure public awareness and education on biosafety, dynamic laws and institutional policies on biosafety, biosafety assessments and compliance and enforcement.
“The Authority has accelerated the decentralization of its services to regions such as Mombasa, Busia, Namanga, Malaba, Lunga lunga and Taita Taveta, and we look forward to opening six more border offices in this period of the Strategic Plan,” said Prof Jenesio Kinyamario, NBA Chairman.
NBA which has kicked of the awareness campaign in Machakos County also seeking to enlighten the public on biosafety information management, international partnerships and collaborative engagement in the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, infrastructural and operational efficiency, and human resource management.
The Authority is mandated to exercise general supervision and control over the transfer, handling and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
This is done with a view to ensuring the safety of human and animal health, and the provision of an adequate level of protection of the environment.
“This is achieved through among the application of both international and national standards on safety assessments. The Authority is guided by the provisions of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, the Biotechnology Policy, the Biosafety Act and a set of Biosafety Regulations,” added Nehemiah Ngetich, NBA Chief Executive Officer.
