Experts, government officers, scholars, policy makers, researchers’ experts, farmers and youth representatives will next week converge in Naivasha, Nakuru County to take stock of the achievements and challenges in embracing modern biotechnology in the Country.
The Conference themed: 13 Years Later: Building Trust and Ensuring Safety of Genetically Modified Organisms, will look at the journey the Country has walked towards the adoption of modern biotechnology.
The Conference will be the 13th to be organized by the National Biosafety Authority which is mandated to: exercise general supervision and control over the transfer, handling and use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) with a view to ensuring safety of human and animal health and provision of adequate protection of the environment.
It will also be a National dialogue forum on modern biotechnologies and biosafety matters and will be presided over by Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Hon. Mutahi Kagwe on Tuesday (10th June 2025).
According to the Authority’s acting Chief Executive officer Nehemiah Ngetich, the event will run from 10th-12th June 2025.
Mr. Ngetich emphasized that Kenya has a well-established legal, regulatory and institutional framework which provides for streamlined processes for persons dealing in GMOs and their derived products in the Country.
He said the framework outlines specific application requirements, safety assessment procedures and monitoring mechanisms which align to Kenya’s commitment to food safety, environmental protection and the socio-economic wellbeing of its citizens.
Among the key sub-themes for discussion at the conference are; regulatory frameworks for GMO Safety which will explores the policies, laws, and institutional frameworks governing the safe development, handling, and commercialization of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
It highlights the role of biosafety regulations in ensuring that GMOs undergo rigorous risk assessments before approval for research, release, or consumption and the discussion will cover international laws, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, as well as national regulatory structures that oversee compliance, risk management, and public engagement.
On GMO safety assessment and product labelling, the focus will be on the scientific methodologies used to evaluate the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) before their approval for research, cultivation, or consumption.
“It will cover key aspects of risk assessment, including substantial equivalence, environmental impact, allergenicity, toxicity, and long-term health effects. The discussion will highlight internationally recognized protocols and national regulatory approaches to ensure GMOs meet safety standards. The session will also elaborate the socioeconomic parameters considered for GMO’s for environmental release and placing on the market,” reads the statement.
It will also explore the significance of labeling regulations for genetically modified (GM) products for confirmation of safety of GM products, promoting consumer choice and traceability and how clear labeling fosters public trust, market confidence, and regulatory compliance while addressing challenges such as misinformation and the balance between mandatory and voluntary labeling approaches.
The Conference will also look at collaborative approaches to GMO Research and Development with focus on the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration in ensuring the safe development and adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
It will highlight the role of public-private partnerships and public-public partnerships in advancing GMO research, safety assessments, and responsible commercialization through shared safety data, expertise and resources.
Additionally, the discussion will focus on how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and county governments contribute to biosafety advocacy, policy implementation, and community awareness.
The Biotechnology advances and emerging opportunities will examine the latest advancements in biotechnology, including genome editing and synthetic biology, as well as the transformative impact of AI on enhancing research, decision-making, and productivity.
Participants will also gain insights into how AI-powered data analytics are accelerating biotech research, improving crop breeding, optimizing supply chains, and enhancing biosafety monitoring.
At the national level, Kenya approved the National Biotechnology Development Policy in 2006, enacted the Biosafety Act in 2009 and has so far published four Biosafety Regulations namely; the Biosafety (Contained use) Regulations, 2011; the Biosafety (Environmental Release) Regulations, 2011; the Biosafety (Import, Export, and Transit) Regulations, 2011; and the Biosafety (Labelling) Regulations, 2012.
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.
It is also Kenya’s National Focal Point for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, the global biosafety regulatory framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
