Raila Odinga, the head of Azimio la Umoja, has accused President William Ruto of abandoning Kenyans by allowing the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the country.
Raila said in a Sunday communiqué that the decision was taken without much consultation with diverse parties or public input.
The opposition leader also accused President Ruto of being a “puppet” for other nations, claiming that approving the entry of GMO-infused goods will have serious consequences for the country’s agriculture.
“We consider the decision to lift ban on GMO foods and their importation a betrayal to our country. On this, the Ruto administration is not working for Kenya,” Raila said.
Raila also chastised Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria for his questionable statements about GMOs causing mortality.
Kuria openly declared that the 10 million duty-free GMO corn he permitted to be imported might be put to Kenya’s list of causes of death.
“And because so many things compete for death, there is nothing wrong with adding GMOs to that list. That is why we have deliberately allowed GMO until we are satisfied that we have enough maize, the staple food,” CS Kuria added.
Raila demanded that CS Kuria apologize to Kenyans for his careless remarks, accusing him of lacking scientific literacy and abusing power.
Raila also challenged the government to provide Kenyans with the scientific studies on which they are relying to approve the eating of GMOs, claiming that research have demonstrated GMOs to be safe for ingestion.
