Raila says they will Fight GMOs In Courts And In Farms Across The Country
The reintroduction of GMOs, in Raila’s view, is a callous justification that infringes on Kenyans’ rights and jeopardizes the country’s interests at the expense of foreign economic interests.
The immediate relief of Kenyans experiencing famine and drought, in Raila’s opinion, is more important than appearances, politics, or finger-pointing.
The head of the Azimio Coalition, Raila Odinga, has reaffirmed his opposition to using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to address the severe drought in Kenya.
On Tuesday, Raila emphasized that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not a panacea for Kenya’s chronic drought and food deficit. She also vowed to continue to fight GMOs in the courts and on Kenyan farms.
The statement issued by the Azimio leader is partially quoted as saying, “We demand that Ruto’s administration explain to Kenyans the rationale behind the rush to reverse the 2012 directive that stopped the importation and open cultivation of GO’s due to concerns about the health risks of GMO foods and insufficient studies on their effects on small-scale farmers and the local food markets.”
The reintroduction of GMOs, in Raila’s view, is a callous justification that infringes on Kenyans’ rights and jeopardizes the country’s interests at the expense of foreign economic interests.
He questioned the legality of GMOs in Kenya, particularly in light of the fact that they are still prohibited in nations with sophisticated science like France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Hungary, and the Netherlands.
“Numerous nations with developed scientific infrastructure, including France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, and Luxembourg, have outlawed them. Malte, Slovenia, Italy, Croatia, Denmark, Poland, Bulgaria, and Poland. Kenya: Why?” Raila tacked on.
The former presidential contender argued that reintroducing the once-illegal genetically modified organisms (GMOs) at this time of global instability is tantamount to employing Kenyans as test subjects.
“We feel that bringing them into Kenya at this time of global unrest would amount to using Kenyans as test subjects, something we would not tolerate. Even the hungry and poor should have their rights and dignity upheld “added Raila.
Raila said his camp would battle GMOs in court and on farms all throughout Kenya, urging Kenyans to reject “the attempt to jeopardize their health, economy, and environment.”
We are aware that legal lawsuits regarding the reintroduction of GMOs already exist and are waiting for hearings, Raila remarked.
As we wait for the court’s decision, we firmly implore Kenyans to reject the Ruto administration’s attempt to jeopardize our health by placing the economy and environment above commerce.
The ODM leader, who is currently in India, continued by stating that Kenyans deserve a clear plan for increasing access to water to improve irrigation in the country’s changeable climate, improving infrastructure to make it easier for people to access markets, improving agricultural extension assistance programs, and empowering special interest groups like children, women, and people with disabilities to participate in agricultural production.
Meanwhile, the drought and starvation afflicting Kenya demand immediate assistance, not optics, politics, or finger-pointing, claims Raila.
