[SIZE=7]I am a Scientist, Eat GMOs, Ruto Tells Kenyans[/SIZE]
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[li]By ANZUGIRA PEREZ on 4 January 2023 - 8:27 pm[/li]
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An image of President William Ruto at State House on January 4, 2022.
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President William Ruto on Wednesday, January 4 castigated those who have opposed his plan to introduce genetically modified foods in the country.
Ruto who was speaking at State House Nairobi during a media interview revealed that he was a scientist himself and that GMOs were safe for Kenyans.
“Who told you GMO was unsafe, it is just less than one percent GMO, our food is already GMO,…As the leader in this country I cannot oversee the consumption of bad food for Kenyans who elected me, he added.
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President Ruto chairs Cabinet meeting at State House on Thursday, November 10, 2022
“I am equally a scientist, and all scientists and universities in Kenya agree that GMOs have no issues, countries like South Africa, and America have 100% GMO,
…
Have you heard of anyone growing horns in South Africa, or developing extra limbs because of consuming GMOs?” he posed.
According to the president, the smear campaign on GMOs was just propaganda by detractors to prevent the country from producing enough food for its citizens.
Ruto stated that his intention was to ensure that no Kenyan died of hunger again.
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Image of GMO maize corn
“My intention is to ensure we eradicate the high cost of living and solve the perennial issue of Kenyans dying of hunger 60 years after independence,” he observed.
“This is an indictment on us as leaders,” he added.
In October 2022, the government lifted a 10-year ban on the cultivation and importation of genetically modified crops.
The decision was guided by recommendations of a task force on genetically modified foods and food safety and guidelines of the National Biosafety Authority.
While the move was welcomed by some, opponents cited safety concerns to human health and the environment.
Ruto also on Wednesday, January 4, downplayed criticism over his promise to lower prices of basic commodities in the country- arguing that the price of maize flour would be at Ksh300 had the Azimio la Umoja coalition won the election.
Speaking in a joint media interview, the President reiterated that his administration was committed to lowering the cost of living through a raft of measures put in place since assuming power in September.
According to him, the situation at the moment was better compared to when he assumed power, which he advanced as an indicator that the country was on course to make essential commodities affordable for Kenyans.
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President William Ruto
“The average price of unga is about Ksh190, if this election went otherwise, perhaps this price could be around Ksh300.
If you are not sensitive to the current situation and fail to make a point of knowing what is happening in the country then you cannot solve these challenges," he posited.
He reiterated that the measures put in place by his government will eventually help to alleviate the economic crisis facing the country.
According to him, the Kenya Kwanza administration embarked on an endeavor to weed out cartels and brokers from the supply system as a way of preventing economic sabotage.
He further cited his efforts to subsidize farm inputs, including fertilizer as one of his dedicated measures to achieve food security and prevent a spike in food prices in the future.
Ruto further elucidated his plan to revamp the Galana-Kulalu project aimed at producing maize- among other crops.
He assured that the project, alongside others to be launched, would help to offer an alternative to the importation of maize.
In addition, the Head of State addressed concerns about his move to withdraw subsidies on electricity and maize flour. He described the subsidies put in place by his predecessor, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, as a move aimed at influencing voting patterns during the August election.
He also reiterated his previous stance that the subsidies on consumption were not sustainable.