Civil Society Urges Vigilance in Protecting Kenya’s Food Sovereignty
From left- Jecinter Agunja, Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders; Sylvanus Kasiti, Civil Society Reference Group; Asker Akinyi, a farmer; Ann Maina, BIBA; and Elizabeth Atieno, Greenpeace Africa.
Greenpeace Africa, Kenya Peasants League, and BIBA Kenya have hailed the recent court ruling on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) as a major victory for food sovereignty in Kenya.Advocates also highlighted agroecology’s role in promoting biodiversity, restoring soil health, and enhancing climate resilience while upholding farmers’ rights to seed sovereignty.
Greenpeace Africa promotes ecological farming for a sustainable environment and food security,Kenya Peasants League (KPL) advocates for small-scale farmers’ rights and food sovereignty and BIBA Kenya protects biodiversity and promotes GMO-free food security policies
Speaking during a press briefing at Chester House on Thursday Ann Maina, National Coordinator of the Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya (BIBA), emphasized that while the ruling was a step in the right direction, the fight is far from over.
“We stand before you not just as civil society organizations, but as Kenyans deeply concerned about the future of our farmers, our food systems, and the right of every Kenyan to have access to safe, diverse, and nutritious food,” said Maina.
She warned that despite the ruling, corporations pushing for GMOs would not relent. “These corporations don’t just give up. They will try again through policy loopholes, trade deals, and legislative maneuvers designed to serve their interests, not ours.”
Maina challenged the narrative that GMOs offer a solution to hunger in Kenya, arguing that they create more dependency rather than food security.
“Do GMOs increase food access for those who go to bed hungry every night? No. What they do is force farmers to buy seeds year after year, push out indigenous seed varieties, and soak our soils in toxic chemicals,” she stated.
She urged policymakers to prioritize agroecology, which allows farmers to own their seeds, regenerate their soils, and produce real food rather than commodities for export.
Elizabeth Atieno, a food campaigner at Greenpeace Africa, echoed these sentiments, warning that the upcoming seed litigation in May would be a crucial moment in determining Kenya’s agricultural future.
From Left:Asker Akinyi, a farmer; Ann Maina, BIBA; and Elizabeth Atieno, Greenpeace Africa.
“The recent GMO ruling was a step in the right direction, but this victory is just the beginning. The real test is ahead of us because while we have stopped GMOs for now, the fight for seed sovereignty is far from over,” she said.
Atieno highlighted that if corporations succeed in controlling seeds through patents and restrictive laws, farmers will lose the right to save, share, or exchange seeds practices that have sustained them for generations.
Atieno clarified that civil society is not against scientific progress but insists that innovation must benefit the people rather than corporations.
“We are not saying no to progress, science, or innovation. What we are saying is that progress must be sustainable, just, and serve the interests of the people. True agricultural progress means strengthening what already works, not replacing it with a system that creates dependency and increases costs for farmers,” she said.
The activists called on policymakers, researchers, and the public to rally behind farmer-managed seed systems that prioritize local adaptation, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
“A victory in the upcoming seed litigation will safeguard farmers’ rights and secure Kenya’s food sovereignty for generations to come,” Atieno emphasized.
Cidi Otieno from the Kenya Peasants League, noted that the upcoming seed litigation case in May will be crucial in determining the future of Kenya’s food systems.
” We’re fighting not just against GMOs, but for the protection of our indigenous seed varieties, farmers’ rights to save and exchange seeds, and the preservation of our agricultural biodiversity. This is about securing food sovereignty for generations to come.” he said.
A Farmer Representative stated that farmers are the custodians of seeds and food systems and If the laws criminalise their right to save and exchange seeds,farmers will be forced into permanent dependency on multinational corporations.
“Farmer-managed seed systems are climate-resilient, cost-effective, and culturally significant. These laws must recognise and protect them.”he added.
Civil society organizations vowed to keep up the pressure, urging the media to raise awareness and citizens to demand policies that prioritize farmers over profit-driven corporations.
By Sharon Atieno
