Early this month, Kenya’s former Prime Minister criticized the move by the government to import genetically modified maize.
Addressing a gathering of his supporters in the Coastal county of Kilifi, Raila Odinga said that consuming imported GM maize would seriously affect Kenyans.
His specific words were that men would develop breasts while women would develop testicles if they consumed GM maize.
This political rhetoric and unverified claims about GM foods hinder any meaningful discussion about the contribution of GM crops to our food basket.
This coming from a leader of his stature and global reputation is inexcusable.
Unfortunately, the ‘mysteries’ about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have become political fodder in Kenya, with some politicians making unproven claims.
No wonder a study commissioned by the Alliance for Science reported that Kenyans are subjected to the worst misinformation globally regarding GM foods and products.
Kenya is a food-insecure nation and GM technologies are part of the solution.
This political rhetoric and unverified claims about GM foods hinder any meaningful discussion about the contribution of GM crops to our food basket.
In a recent article, I suggested that meaningful conversations could only happen when we all agree to stop misinformation on GM crops.
Kenya is a food-insecure nation, and GM technologies are part of the solution.
Genetic engineering offers a platform to develop locally sustainable solutions as we deal with perennial droughts, unreliable rainfall, emerging pests, and diseases.
For example, the stem borer affects all the maize varieties grown in coastal counties such as Kwale and Kilifi where the opposition leader made the claims about GM foods.
In Kenya, many GM crops are under research and development targeting specific problems, such as potatoes resistant to late blight disease and drought-tolerant maize.
The use of pesticides has yet to solve the problem as these pests quickly develop resistance. Moreover, the ever-rising costs of pesticides are prohibitive to most small-scale farmers in the region.
The proposed adoption of insect-resistant Bt maize is a timely solution to the stem borer problem affecting maize farmers in these counties.
The unsubstantiated statements by the political class about GMOs primarily focus on their safety.
These are the same talking points used by anti-GM non-governmental organizations in the country.
Yet, no scientific evidence shows that GM foods are unsafe for consumption.
GM products take years to produce and undergo rigorous regulatory processes before being allowed on the market.
Even if government regulatory agencies were the most incompetent, they would never approve food products that can make consumers grow breasts, beards, or testicles.
In the US, agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) must certify the safety of GM products before consumption by humans and livestock.
In Kenya, similar regulatory agencies must approve the cultivation and consumption of GM products in the country.
Studies have also shown that there is no difference in how GMO and non-GMO foods affect the health and safety of animals.
They include the National Biosafety Authority, National Environment Management Authority, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services, and Kenya Bureau of Standards.
Even if these government regulatory agencies were the most incompetent, I am confident they would never approve food products that can make consumers grow breasts, beards, or testicles.
If GM products are unhealthy and unsafe for consumption, why do we feed them to livestock? Should we not be standing up for animals too? After all, animals have rights and deserve to be treated with dignity.
In the United States, 95 percent of livestock consume GM fodder. There are no reports of female animals developing male genitals or male animals acquiring breasts.
Research shows no difference in quality, safety, and nutritional value of animal products, such as eggs, meat, and dairy, between animals that consume GM feeds and non-GM feeds.
As a nation, we need to move away from the emotions of the moment and accept our reality.
In the European Union, over 60 percent of animal feeds are imported from Argentina, Brazil, and the United States, which mostly grow GM corn and soybean to feed livestock.
Other studies have also shown that there is no difference in how GMO and non-GMO foods affect the health and safety of animals.
Another unfounded claim about GM crops is that they will replace conventional crops and give multinational companies power over small-scale farmers and local food markets. Politicians, certain NGOs, and grassroots organizations have echoed this statement.
No scientist will spend time and money to modify a crop that will not solve a problem.
In Kenya, we have Parliament, the State Law Office, and different regulatory agencies that ensure the adoption of GMOs in the country follows the law.
Moreover, this blanket statement about GMOs is, at best misleading.
We should discuss the specific GM crop, such as maize, cowpeas, cassava, and sweet potatoes, among others, and the modification they have undergone.
Even as we pronounce unfounded claims about GM products, there are thousands of Kenyans facing perennial starvation.
No scientist will spend time and money to modify a crop that will not solve a problem.
Second, no government or organization will fund such a venture, no matter their generosity.
In Kenya, many GM crops are under research and development targeting specific problems, such as potatoes resistant to late blight disease and drought-tolerant maize.
This research is funded by Kenyan taxpayers and primarily done by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) in conjunction with public universities and other agricultural research institutions.
As a nation, we need to move away from the emotions of the moment and accept our reality.
In the European Union, over 60 percent of animal feeds are imported from Argentina, Brazil, and the United States, which mostly grow GM corn and soybean to feed livestock.
Even as we pronounce unfounded claims about GM products, there are thousands of Kenyans facing perennial starvation.
In the future, the media should give more attention to Kenyan scientists working on GM crops to provide information based on evidence rather than reporting the hollow statements made by politicians.
A version of this article first appeared in Daily Nation.
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Dr Oria (PhD) is LEAD Fellow, Prof Janine Erler Research Group, Biotech Research and Innovation Centre – University of Copenhagen, Denmark.