Controversy surrounding the promotion of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) [March 7] took a full circle after the Court of Appeal overturned earlier rulings lifting the ban imposed on the technology.

In the latest twist the Kenyan Peasants League secured a conservatory order stopping the government from taking any further action to allow or permit the importation of GMO crops and food into the country pending determination of their appeal.

“We are persuaded that, in the circumstances of this case and given what is at stake, the precautionary principle militates in favor of granting conservatory orders during the pendency of the appeal,” the ruling read in part[.]

The Petitioners argued that the earlier decision to lift the GMO ban was done without due consideration of scientific evidence highlighting potential health and environmental risks.

The development opens a fresh chapter of legal battles over an issue that has sparked a series of litigations that culminated with the High Court dismissal of earlier petitions challenging the lifting of the sanction after the Environment and Land Court in 2023 okayed the use of the technology asserting that the government had implemented robust safety measures.

This is an excerpt. Read the original post here