NAIROBI – Greenpeace Africa, the Kenyan Farmers League and Viva Kenya have praised the recent landmark decision by the Court of Appeal for temporarily suspending imports of genetically modified (GM) crops to Kenya. He gave a lecture at a joint press conference held at Chester House. The ruling sets an important precedent in approaching game-changing seed litigation cases that could define the future of farmer-controlled seed systems across Kenya and potentially across Africa.
Elizabeth Atieno, lead of Greenpeace Africa’s Food Sovereignty Campaign, said.
“This court decision is a similar victory for farmers and consumers in Kenya. The temporary suspension of GMO imports provides an important opportunity to reassess agricultural policies and to help farmers to help biodiversity and promote solutions to protect biodiversity. Legal protection of farmers-controlled seed systems.”
Anne Meina of the Biodiversity and Biosafety Association (Biba Kenya) highlighted the pose of a risk company seed monopoly.
“The struggle for seed sovereignty is a battle against our livelihoods and corporate control over our food system. We celebrate the decision not only as a victory for the farmers, but also as a reaffirmation of the right to save and exchange seeds without interference. Food sovereignty.”
Cidi Otieno from the Kenyan Farmers League has been added.
“The upcoming seed lawsuit in May is important in determining the future of Kenya’s food system. We are fighting for not only GMOs but also for the protection of indigenous seed varieties, the right to save and exchange farmer seeds, and the conservation of agricultural biodiversity.
Asker Akinyi, a farmer, said:
“We are the managers of the seed and food systems. If these laws criminalize the right to save and exchange seeds, we are forced to rely permanently on multinational companies. Farmer-managed seed systems are climate deductions, cost-effectiveness and culturally important. These laws must recognize and protect them.”
Sign up for the AllAfrica newsletter for free
Get the latest African news
success!
Almost finished…
You need to check your email address.
Follow the instructions in the email you sent to complete the process.
error!
There was a problem processing the submission. Please try again later.
The conference highlighted agroecology as a practical, farmer-centric alternative to GMOs. Advocates highlighted the role of agroecology in supporting farmers’ rights to sovereignty, promoting biodiversity, restoring soil health, and increasing climate resilience.
Through active involvement ahead of the May lawsuit, stakeholders called for a unified case from farmers, civil society and policymakers, highlighting the possibility of courts setting local precedents, and had a positive impact on food sovereignty policies across Africa.
For media inquiries, please contact us.
Ferdinand Omondi, Communication and Story Manager, Greenpeace Africa, +254 722 505 233, (Email Protection) / (Email Protection)
end
About Greenpeace Africa: Greenpeace Africa Campaign for a Sustainable Environment and Food Security. Working with African communities, we implement ecological agricultural practices that ensure a future for sustainable and safe food.
About the Kenyan Farmers League: KPL is an advocacy group focused on mobilizing farmers and small-scale farmers to protect farmers’ rights and increase food sovereignty through a farmer-controlled seed system.
About Biba Kenya: The Kenya Biodiversity and Biosafety Association (Biba Kenya) works to promote biosafety by protecting Kenya’s biodiversity and advocating for genetically unmodified policies for biological diversity and food security.
