The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) is set to unveil its Strategic Plan for the period 2023–2027 on Monday in Nairobi. The launch will be presided over by Dr. Paul Ronoh, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Agriculture.
This Strategic Plan marks a significant milestone for NBA as it seeks to align its operations with key government frameworks, including the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), and the Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP IV) for 2023–2027.
According to NBA acting Chief Executive Officer Nehemiah Ngetich, the plan offers a roadmap for achieving the Authority’s mission of ensuring biosafety in Kenya through responsible and innovative practices in modern biotechnology. “The Plan is a reflection of the Authority’s commitment to safeguarding human and animal health, protecting the environment, and fostering responsible innovation,” said Ngetich.
The Strategic Plan identifies eight Key Result Areas (KRAs) as the foundation of its implementation strategy. These include:
- Public awareness and education on biosafety
- Dynamic laws and institutional policies
- Biosafety assessments
- Compliance and enforcement
- Biosafety information management
- International partnerships and collaborative engagements
- Infrastructural and operational efficiency
- Human resource management
Each KRA is supported by specific strategies aimed at guiding the Authority’s efforts over the next five years. The Plan emphasizes the importance of promoting knowledge and transparency around biosafety, both domestically and in the context of international cooperation under protocols such as the Cartagena Protocol and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Ngetich noted that effective implementation of the Strategic Plan will be closely monitored and evaluated through quarterly and annual reports, as well as mid-term and end-term evaluations. “This ensures that our goals remain on track and that we continuously improve our processes,” he said.
The Strategic Plan is expected to reinforce NBA’s role in promoting a safe and well-regulated biotechnology sector in Kenya, enhancing public trust and contributing to national development goals.
