Civil society groups have hailed a recent Court of Appeal ruling that temporarily halts the importation of genetically modified (GM) crops into Kenya, calling it a pivotal moment in the fight for farmers’ rights and food sovereignty. Greenpeace Africa, the Kenya Peasants League, and the Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya (BIBA Kenya) welcomed the decision during a press conference at Chester House in Nairobi, describing it as a major step toward safeguarding farmer-managed seed systems and agricultural biodiversity.
Elizabeth Atieno, Food Sovereignty Campaign Lead at Greenpeace Africa, described the ruling as a victory for both farmers and consumers, emphasizing the importance of using this moment to push for sustainable agricultural policies. She underscored the effectiveness of agroecological practices in ensuring food security while protecting biodiversity and called for collective efforts to secure strong legal protections for farmer-managed seed systems in the upcoming litigation scheduled for May.
Ann Maina of BIBA Kenya warned against the growing threat of corporate monopolies in the seed industry. She stressed that seed sovereignty is fundamental to farmers’ ability to sustain their livelihoods and maintain control over food production. According to Maina, the ruling reaffirms the right of farmers to save and exchange seeds freely, a practice that has sustained communities for generations. She cautioned against the dangers of allowing multinational corporations to monopolize seed ownership, arguing that such a move could compromise Kenya’s food sovereignty.
Cidi Otieno of the Kenya Peasants League highlighted the upcoming seed litigation as a decisive battle for the future of Kenya’s food systems. He noted that the fight against GMOs is not just about opposing imported crops but also about defending indigenous seed varieties and ensuring that farmers retain the right to preserve and exchange their seeds. Otieno described the case as critical for safeguarding agricultural biodiversity and ensuring food sovereignty for future generations.
A farmer representative speaking at the event echoed these concerns, warning that laws restricting the ability of farmers to save and exchange seeds would create long-term dependency on multinational seed companies. They emphasized that farmer-managed seed systems are not only cost-effective but also climate-resilient and deeply rooted in Kenya’s agricultural traditions. Protecting these systems, they argued, is essential to maintaining food security and agricultural independence.
The civil society groups used the press conference to advocate for agroecology as a viable alternative to GMOs, highlighting its role in enhancing biodiversity, restoring soil health, and improving resilience to climate change. They urged farmers, policymakers, and the wider public to actively engage in the upcoming legal proceedings, noting that the outcome of the case could set a significant precedent for food sovereignty policies across Africa.
With the May litigation fast approaching, stakeholders are mobilizing to ensure that Kenya’s agricultural future prioritizes farmers’ rights over corporate interests. The court’s final ruling could shape the trajectory of food and seed policies, not only in Kenya but across the region.
