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"id": 178978,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/178978/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Dr. Kosgei",
"speaker_title": "The Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology",
"speaker": {
"id": 13,
"legal_name": "Lucas Kipkosgei Chepkitony",
"slug": "lucas-chepkitony"
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"content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the Biosafety Bill be now read a Second Time. 3554 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES November 25,2008 Mr. Speaker, Sir, this Bill is both important and urgent for Kenya. A similar Bill was, indeed, presented before the last Parliament and almost went through the Third Reading, if only the elections had not caught up with us at that time. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the passing of this Bill will be in compliance with an international obligation that Kenya is party to, which is the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which was finalised and adopted in 2000. Over 147 countries have ratified the protocol to date. Kenya ratified the protocol in February, 2002, and, therefore, is required to put in place a legislative and institutional framework for safe transfer and handling of genetically modified organisms. Mr. Speaker, Sir, although a National Biotechnology Development Policy was put in place in 2006, we do not yet have a specific law on biotechnology and biosafety in this country. The Government has, however, allowed genetically modified materials into this country, only for the purposes of research and using the Science and Technology Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Kenya. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the biosafety law is aimed at regularising the experiment process in biotechnology so that Kenya can make informed decisions on whether or not to accept any type of genetically modified products or products of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). The new law aims at creating the necessary human resource in the area of science to enable Kenya filter all information on GMOs or products of GMOs. The law will also prevent the possibilities of importation, trafficking and trans-boundary movement of any GMOs or products of GMOs, without strict quarantine and supervision. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the new law will create mechanisms for destruction of anything harmful to Kenyans and provide penalties for unauthorised importation, trans-boundary or trafficking of GMOs or products of GMOs. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the new law does not seek to introduce any GMOs or products of GMOs without strict supervision and quarantine. The new law is, indeed, for the protection of Kenyans from careless escapes or presentation of GMOs or products of GMOs, in strict accordance with the Cartagena Protocol. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the new law will legalise the entire existing and proposed infrastructure, like the quarantine facilities, monitoring and inspection equipment, specialised committees and the current National Biosafety Committee, as well as the Institutional Biosafety Committee. This will be in the interest, on average, of all Kenyans. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the new law aims at protecting all our traditional crops, animals and natural biological diversity from adulteration by strange materials and organisms from within and outside the country. The new legislation will create a national authority that will be responsible for ensuring that the provision of the new law is followed. Mr. Speaker, Sir, all stakeholders have been involved during the development of the Biosafety Bill. However, today, I saw a long advertisement on one of the dailies giving ideas of what we can do, and these ideas are welcome as, indeed, any other proposals, so that we can incorporate what we need during the Committee Stage. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. I would like to ask my friend and former Minister in this Ministry, Dr. Wekesa, to second this Bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir."
}