Kenya has taken a significant step in the advancement of agricultural biotechnology with the approval of field trials for Genetically Modified (GM) vaccines targeting major livestock diseases. The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has given the green light for testing these vaccines, with a key focus on combating Rift Valley Fever a deadly zoonotic disease affecting cattle, goats, sheep, and camels across the country.
The trials come at a time when livestock diseases continue to pose serious threats to food security, livelihoods, and the economy. Rift Valley Fever, in particular, not only results in high mortality rates among animals but also causes illness in humans, making the development of effective vaccines a public health priority. The GM vaccines are expected to offer more targeted protection and longer-lasting immunity compared to conventional vaccines.
In addition to livestock health, the NBA is expanding its efforts in crop biotechnology. Trials have been approved for several genetically modified crops aimed at improving food security and resilience to climate change. These include resistant sweet potatoes in Kakamega, biofortified cassava at Alupe in Busia County, and Irish potatoes resistant to late blight a destructive fungal disease currently undergoing trials in Molo, Muguga (Kiambu County), and Njambini (Nyandarua).
Other trials are focused on drought-tolerant maize and African Biofortified Sorghum (ABS), which are being tested in Kiboko, Makueni County. These developments reflect a broader strategy to harness modern biotechnology in addressing agricultural challenges such as pests, diseases, and climate variability.
The NBA has already approved several GM crops for environmental release, including Bt cotton, Bt maize, and virus-resistant cassava. These crops have undergone extensive scientific testing and are currently in the phase of National Performance Trials (NPT), a necessary step before full commercial release.
To support the regulatory and operational framework for biotechnology, the authority has rolled out various policies and manuals. These cover areas such as GMO labelling, genome editing, and biosafety inspection protocols. Additional guidance has been developed for asset and risk management, data protection, and ICT policy all designed to strengthen the institution’s governance and compliance capacity.
Despite these advancements, ongoing litigations concerning the lifting of Kenya’s GMO ban continue to hamper full implementation of the authority’s mandate. Regulatory uncertainty poses challenges to the scaling and commercialisation of GM products, even as scientific evidence continues to support their safety and effectiveness.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has also announced progress in GM crop trials, with eight new cassava varieties having successfully completed critical evaluations for distinctness, uniformity, and stability. These varieties are undergoing National Performance Trials before potential release for commercial farming.
These initiatives mark a cautious but progressive approach to biotechnology adoption in Kenya, reflecting a commitment to innovation while balancing public health, safety, and environmental concerns.
