Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 8/11/2005

**GAIN Report Number:** KE5010

KE5010

**Kenya**

**Biotechnology**

**Kenya Biotechnology Report**

**2005**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Kevin N Smith

U.S Embassy

**Prepared by:**

Mary Onsongo

**Report Highlights:**

Though Kenya does not produce any commercial crops that involve
transgenic process, it is in the process of developing an official
policy to govern trade and production of genetically modified organisms.
It is also one of the most progressive countries in sub-Saharan Africa
regarding GMO development.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Annual Report

Nairobi \[KE1\]

\[KE\]

Table of Contents

[1. Executive Summary 3](#executive-summary)

[11. Biotechnology Trade and Promotion
3](#biotechnology-trade-and-promotion)

[111. Biotechnology Policy 3](#biotechnology-policy)

[IV. Marketing Issues 4](#iv.-marketing-issues)

[V. Capacity Building and Outreach
4](#v.-capacity-building-and-outreach)

[VI: Reference Material 4](#vi-reference-material)

# 1. Executive Summary

Kenya is in the process of developing its biotechnology policy. A draft
bill is under review, however, procedures for dealing with transgenic
materials are currently determined by a set of guidelines. Though
commercial production is not taking place, two research stations are in
operation and field trials are underway.

Most of the transgenic products exported to Kenya in 2004 were in the
form of food aid. Kenya is one of the most progressive countries in
Sub-Saharan Africa in developing transgenic agricultural products and
should reap substantial benefits in terms of meeting food security needs
and in trade provided its final policy is not overly trade restrictive.

# 11. Biotechnology Trade and Promotion 

# 

Kenya does not produce any commercial crops that involve transgenic
processes, but does produce some using tissue culture techniques.
Biotech activities in Kenya include tissue culture, molecular or genetic
markers, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), biosafety and biopolicy.
Examples of GM crops undergoing evaluation include Bt maize (confined
field trials), viral resistant transgenic sweet potato, cassava
resistant to the cassava mosaic virus, and Bt cotton (which has gone
through one season of confined field trial). It is hoped that in the
next decade Kenya will commercialize some of these transgenic products.

The U.S. exported transgenic products to Kenya in 2004. These include
shipments under the McGovern Dole Food for Education Program, USAID food
aid programs (Title 11, Food for Progress). The products are
soybean/products and corn/products.

# 111. Biotechnology Policy

# 

In 1998, the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST)
developed the guidelines for biosafety in biotechnology. The NCST
through the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) is the coordinating
office on all issues related to biosafety. Kenya Plant Health
Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) in the Ministry of Agriculture has the
mandate for developing and implementing the national policy on the
introduction, testing and use of GM plants, microorganisms and
biopesticides in Kenya. The Ministry of Health regulates Food Safety
issues. The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) under the Ministry
of Livestock and Fisheries regulates the veterinary drugs and related
issues. The National Environment Authority in the Ministry of
Environment overseas the regulatory role of biosafety issues relating to
the National Environment and Management Authority (NEMA) and the Pest
and Product Board regulates biopestcides.

Several workshops to deliberate on issues relating to development of an
appropriate biopolicy and biosafety framework have been held. The
discussions are wide ranging from importance of GM crops in Kenya, GM
food for human health and nutrition, discussion of the draft for
biotechnology and biosafety policy for Kenya, and development of
biotechnology and biosafety policy in the ASERACA and COMESA countries
and biotechnology trade issues. Research institutions, universities and
other stake holders have programs that focus on research and technology
development, strengthening public institutions to use research and
public outreach to promote biotechnology's safe use, and developing
local private sectors to help integrate biotech into local food systems.
Kenya has a draft policy Bill and a draft biotechnology policy document
prepared.

NCST in collaboration with other stakeholders initiated and enhanced the
development of biotechnology policy and Biosafety legal framework to
regulate the sustainable development of biotechnology in Kenya. A draft
Biotech Bill and draft biotechnology policy have been presented to the
Minister of Education Science and Technology. Further action on the Bill
requires its presentation to the cabinet by the Attorney General for
discussion and approval for publication. This process is likely to take
place within the coming year. This expected time frame is subject to
change.

Kenya is a food aid recipient country, the most recent instance being
food aid for the drought appeal made by the president of Kenya (2004)
and the food for education initiative. There are no serious indications
that the GOK may implement policies restricting the use of bioengineered
commodities in food aid programs. Kenya is in the process of developing
its own transgenic products and is increasingly understanding the
benefits of agricultural biotechnology such as increased crop yields,
reduced need for water and chemical materials and higher resistance to
crop stress, pests and diseases (food security concerns).

# IV. Marketing Issues

# 

U.S. agricultural and food exports over the last five calendar years
average \$ 32.2 million with over 80 percent being food aid and
monetized shipments under Food for Progress, Title II, P.L. 480 and/or
Section 416 (b). The most important being corn and vegetable oils (have
transgenic content). Kenyan importers, retailers and consumers have not
expressed serious concerns about importation, sale or use of transgenic
products.

# 

# V. Capacity Building and Outreach 

Under the Cochran Fellowship Program the following participants have
been trained between 2003 to date.

**Cochran Fellowships from Kenya related to Biotechnology**

> • May 4-16, 2003: Agricultural Biotechnology Short Course
>
> 13 Cochran Participants
>
> • July 11--16, 2004: Capacity Building Intellectual Property Rights
> (IPR) and technology transfer
>
> 3 Cochran Participants
>
> • June 30 -- July 16, 2005: Cochran Training in Policy Development.
>
> 3 Cochran Participants
>
> • Biotech Speaker Programs sponsored by Public Affairs Section
>
> 2002, 2003, 2004
>
> • USAID sponsored Programs in Kenya

**The country needs include assistance in enhancement of Biosafety Bill
for Kenya.**

# VI: Reference Material 

There are no transgenic products approved