East Africa is moving toward a shared biotechnology vision, and Kenya is playing a central role in making it happen. The region is finalizing a ten-year strategy that will run from 2026 to 2036, focusing on fair access to biotechnology benefits, safeguarding biodiversity, and building public trust through awareness and education.
For years, fragmented national regulations have slowed down innovation, complicated trade, and made it harder for countries to collaborate. This new approach aims to align policies across the East African Community, ensuring that research, safety measures, and trade can flow more smoothly.
In Nairobi, delegates from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and partners from the United States gathered under the coordination of the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) to validate the strategy. Executive Secretary Dr. Sylvance Okoth encouraged experts to refine the plan and incorporate feedback from the meeting, stressing the importance of supporting member states that are still developing their biotechnology frameworks.
Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has been instrumental in shaping the regional plan. Acting Director for Biosafety Awareness, Assessment and Collaborations, Josphat Muchiri, noted that the strategy will strengthen safety standards and make implementation more consistent across borders. He added that Kenya has consistently championed the idea of a harmonized biotechnology approach.
The country already has one of the most comprehensive biosafety systems in the region, guided by the Biosafety Act, Cap 320. The law gives the NBA full authority over all genetically modified organisms in Kenya, whether they are approved, illegal, or unintended. It also requires the promotion of public awareness and the establishment of a Biosafety Clearing House to share scientific, technical, environmental, and legal information on living modified organisms.
Over the years, Kenya has developed a strong set of regulations covering contained use, environmental release, import, export, transit, and labelling of GMOs. Guidelines have also been created for risk assessment, facility certification, genome editing, and GMO testing. To meet global standards, the country has implemented internationally recognized laboratory and biorisk management systems through the Kenya National Accreditation Service.
As the regional strategy takes shape, East Africa is preparing not only to regulate biotechnology but to use it as a driver for innovation, trade, and sustainable development. With its robust systems and policy leadership, Kenya is well placed to guide this transformation.
