Civil society organizations and farmers have welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision to halt the importation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into Kenya, calling it a major victory for small-scale farmers and food sovereignty. The ruling, issued on March 7, 2025, reinforces the concerns raised by agricultural stakeholders regarding the potential risks GMOs pose to health, biodiversity, and local farming systems.
The case was brought before the court by the Kenya Peasants League, the Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya (BIBA), and 18 other parties. They challenged the government’s October 2022 decision to lift the decade-long ban on GMOs, citing threats to Kenya’s ecological balance and smallholder farmers’ rights.
David Otieno, a representative of the Kenya Peasants League, praised the ruling, stating that it safeguards farmers’ autonomy over food production. “We celebrate this ruling as a major victory for small-scale farmers across Kenya. GMOs are not the solution to food insecurity. Instead, they deepen dependency on multinational agribusinesses, threaten biodiversity, and compromise farmers’ ability to control their food systems,” he said.
Kenya first imposed a ban on GMOs in 2012, citing health and environmental concerns. However, in October 2022, the Kenya Kwanza administration lifted the ban, arguing that GMOs could help combat food insecurity. The move sparked a wave of opposition from agroecology advocates and other stakeholders who filed lawsuits to prevent the introduction of GMOs.
In its ruling, the Court of Appeal emphasized that the public interest is best served by maintaining the ban while legal and policy questions surrounding GMOs are fully addressed. The court highlighted the need for a robust legal and institutional framework to assess the potential adverse impacts of GMOs before any policy changes take effect.
Anne Maina, National Coordinator of BIBA Kenya, urged the government to shift its focus toward agroecology as a sustainable alternative. “We urge the government to invest in smallholder farmers, indigenous seed systems, and agroecological farming practices rather than pushing harmful technologies that serve corporate interests,” she said.
The ruling mandates an immediate halt to all government actions promoting GMOs, pending a full hearing to determine whether the lifting of the ban was lawful and beneficial to the country. Farmers and civil society organizations remain steadfast in their commitment to defending Kenya’s food sovereignty and agricultural sustainability.
