President William Ruto has rubbished claims that Genetically modified foods (GMOs)are harmful to Kenyans who consume them.
Speaking during a joint media interview with journalists at State House in Nairobi on Wednesday, January 4, Ruto listed country like South Africa, the United States (US) and other countries that have consumed it and have not cited nationwide problems on their end.
He affirmed that he cannot put the lives of Kenyans at risk, in defence of his decision to lift the 10-year-old ban on GMOs in a bid to provide food surplus to the country owing to the high cost of living.
“I want to explain to Kenyans that the food we have been vouching for all these years, already has GMO. As a leader of the country, I cannot endanger the lives of Kenyans who voted for me, I’m a scientist.Ruto said.
Approved By Scientists
Ruto further gave his own hilarious take on how he consumed GMO foods and turned out a normal human being, contrary to claims peddled by some politicians that the foods would alter body features.
“Every scientist in Kenya agrees that GMOs are safe. Have you heard of anyone who has grown horns in South Africa because they have eaten GMOs? I have eaten GMOs, have I grown breasts?” he posed.
He was responding to Roots party leader Prof. George Wajackoyah who opposed the government’s plan to import GMO foods as a means of tackling perenial food crisis witnessed in the country.
The Head of State also mocked the opposition over his promise to lower the cost of food in the country by stating that the cost of maize flour would have been higher had the opposition clinched victory in the August 9 elections, noting that the situation was better than it was in the previous regime.
“Today, from an average of Ksh230, the cost of unga is about Ksh190 per 2kg. If the outcome of the elections went the other way, perhaps the cost of unga right now would be Ksh300,” he stated.
He further revisited his efforts to subsidize farm inputs, including fertilizer as one of his dedicated measures to achieve food security and prevent an increase in food prices in the future.
By Rodgers Oduor
