Nyeri Catholic Archdiocese head Archbishop Anthony Muheria addressing journalists at the church headquarters in Nyeri town yesterday.
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Worth Noting:
- “When we speak about GMOs, it is a matter that deserves deep, strategic, respectful and sober engagements. It is not for us to embrace them wholeheartedly without reservations nor do we want a situation where we reject their use even if it could be for a specific period of time,” he observed.
- He added, “We call for a good moment of engagement by government and the agriculture and food experts so that we may find the right path. We also need to discuss the dangers that Kenyans are exposed to, sometimes it is exaggerated, sometimes it can be contained and mitigated, we should not just discuss emotions, let us discuss scientific facts”.
Nyeri Catholic Archdiocese head, Archbishop Anthony Muheria has hit out at those trivialising the ongoing debate on planned importation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) food.
The prelate has called on serious and sober deliberations on the matter saying no one should joke around with an issue as serious as that.
Addressing a media briefing at the Archdiocese headquarters in Nyeri town yesterday, the Archbishop noted that some people, some in senior positions in the current government were issuing statements demeaning the life of ordinary citizens, an issue he termed as unfortunate and uncalled for.
He called for a sober engagement between the government and food experts in a bid to unlock the crisis revolving around the GMOs.
He proposed for an establishment of an open forum that will bring together all the stakeholders in the l agriculture sector so that a clear well considered advisory could be given before making any serious decision on the way forward.
“When we speak about GMOs, it is a matter that deserves deep, strategic, respectful and sober engagements. It is not for us to embrace them wholeheartedly without reservations nor do we want a situation where we reject their use even if it could be for a specific period of time,” he observed.
He added, “We call for a good moment of engagement by government and the agriculture and food experts so that we may find the right path. We also need to discuss the dangers that Kenyans are exposed to, sometimes it is exaggerated, sometimes it can be contained and mitigated, we should not just discuss emotions, let us discuss scientific facts”.
While reacting to the drought that has hit the country for months, the Archbishop observed that the situation was as a result of poor planning and the lack of strategy by those in authority.
He challenged the government to change its strategy so as to effectively make the country food secure.
This he said could be achieved by among other things, improving agricultural and water harvesting practices.
“We have been managing the crisis instead of properly planning. As a long-term solution, we need to address what ails Kenya and what it is that makes us not to be food sufficient. We must address issues of improved agricultural methods, sustainable support to agriculture and how we store harvested food and in this context we will be able to be food sufficient and plant for adversity and moments when rains fail,” he noted.
He hit out the Trade, Investment and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria for taking for granted, the lives of Kenyan citizens saying his recent comments were disrespectful and distasteful.
He demanded that the CS tender an apology for taking for granted the Kenyans lives.
“Even if it is an issue which could be taken as a joke, it could be wrong to bring about statements whereby we trivialize death, suffering and insecurity. For this reason, we feel irrespective of the matter in consideration, we would request honestly that Kenyans deserve respect and not spite and in this matter they do deserve an apology,” he noted.
His sentiments came a few days after the CS cited introduction of GMO as one of the ways for a Kenyan to die when he announced plans for the importation of 10 million bags of GMO maize into the country.
“We have so many things that can kill us in this country. Being in this country, you are a candidate for death. And because so many things compete for death, there is nothing wrong with adding GMOs to that list. That is why we have deliberately allowed GMOs until we are satisfied we have enough maize,” Kuria was quoted as saying.
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