POLICY

Kenya National Biotechnology Development Policy

Highlights

In September 2006, the government of Kenya approved a comprehensive national policy to guide the research, development in various field such as agriculture, environment, human health, trade and industry in modern biotechnology products. The comprehensive policy has been the result of several years of work involving all major biotechnology stakeholders nationally, internationally and relevant government departments. The country is developing protocols to commercialize any genetically modified organism (GMO). However, a number of academic and research institutions have been carrying out research and development activities to address key traits such as diseases and pests’ resistance, drought and salinity tolerance, nutrient enrichment and quality improvement. There is on-going research on transgenic cotton, maize, sweet potato and cassava, and also on development of diagnostic kits for disease detection and vaccines for disease prevention. These activities have been carried out under the Biosafatey Regulations and Guidelines drafted in 1998 by the National Council for Science and Technology.

While advances in biotechnology, as evidenced elsewhere in the world, have great potential to improve human wellbeing, it is important that the technology is developed with adequate safety measures and respond to priority needs in the country. The policy therefore is an important step in defining the country’s agenda in biotechnology while providing for a clear and stronger legal framework, in response both to Kenya’s needs and conformity with global obligations and trends.

What are the Policy’s objectives?

Some of the key objectives of the policy are to:

• Prioritize, promote, fund and coordinate research in basic and applied sciences
• Promote sustainable industrial development for production of biotechnology-derived products
• Create enabling administrative and legal frameworks for biotechnology development and commercialization
• Develop mechanisms for the provision of sustainable funding for biotechnology research and products development
• Support and facilitate capacity building on all aspects of biotechnology including intellectual property access and protection, biosafety and bioethics.
• Support the development and retention of human resources in science, innovation and biotechnology
• Stimulate collaboration among public, private sectors and international agencies in order to advance biotechnology both locally and internationally
• Promote public understanding of the potential benefits and address stakeholder concerns/issues on modern biotechnology

What does the Policy cover?