Narc Kenya party leader, Martha Karua, on Wednesday, November 23, raised questions over the rushed decision by the government to approve the importation of Genetically Modified Maize.
Karua, in a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, downplayed claims that the decision was ratified in a meeting with cabinet secretaries from former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime.
According to the veteran lawyer and activist, CSs from the former regime ceased to be functional after the inauguration of President Ruto in September 2022. Any decision made by the former CSs, she added, was thus illegitimate and null.
“To add to the mix is purported cabinet approval for GMO products to enter the country.
“Once a president is inaugurated after elections, the reign of the outgoing ends and the outgoing cabinet is dissolved by operation of law.
“The purported cabinet meetings with Uhuru’s cabinet after the inauguration a nullity,” the statement read.
Karua, while referencing past maize scandals in the Ministry of Agriculture, warned of possible impropriety in the importation process.
She also questioned why the state was hurrying to import maize whilst local farmers were about to harvest their cereals.
“We are now set for season two of the maize scandal ships docking with a consignment before rules of importation are known, and when local farmers are harvesting,” she stated.
Karua added to the long list of leaders opposed to the plan by the Ministry of Trade to import over 10 million consignments comprising GMO maize.
Whilst the government maintained that the plan was aimed at de-escalating drought and lowering food prices, a section of leaders sounded their reservations towards it.
Legislators drawn from both sides of the divide vowed to oppose the importation arguing that it would affect local farmers who were ready to supply their produce.
The GMO importation saga also culminated in a section of MPs threatening to impeach Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria from office over his controversial remarks.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE