Nairobi: The government has unveiled the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) Strategic Plan 2023-2027. The plan aims to achieve its objectives through eight Key Result Areas (KRAs), supported by targeted strategies to guide efforts over the next five years for optimal results.
According to Kenya News Agency, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Agriculture, Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh, emphasized the government’s commitment to safeguarding human and animal health, protecting the environment, and fostering responsible innovation in modern biotechnology during the launch event in Nairobi. Dr. Ronoh’s speech, delivered by Agriculture Engineering Secretary Eng. Laban Kiplagat, highlighted the cross-sectoral application of modern biotechnology in agriculture, industry, environment, medicine, wildlife, fisheries, and forestry.
Dr. Ronoh stated that NBA’s strategic placement within the ministry has invigorated the application of modern biotechnology to enhance agricultural productivity, contributing to food and nutrition security. This positions Kenya to make significant strides in technology and innovation, aligning with the national ambition outlined in the National Biotechnology Development Policy of 2006.
He added that the NBA’s four biosafety regulation roles align well with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BeTA), which focuses on agricultural transformation and inclusive growth, transforming the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) economy.
NBA Board of Directors Chairperson Prof. Jenesio Kinyamario noted that the implementation of the plan will require about Ksh1.94 billion and urged the government to support the authority with available resources while enhancing revenue collection. He highlighted progress in acquiring land for NBA Headquarters, establishing a GMO Testing Laboratory, and commercializing Bt cotton, which is positively impacting communities in 20 counties.
Prof. Kinyamario also mentioned the acceleration of service decentralization to regions such as Mombasa, Busia, Namanga, Malaba, Lunga Lunga, and Taita Taveta, with plans to open six more border offices during the Strategic Plan period.
NBA Ag. CEO Mr. Nehemiah Ngetich asserted that the new strategic plan signifies a commitment to quality service delivery with integrity, professionalism, customer focus, inclusiveness, and sustainability. He explained that the Authority is guided by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, the Biotechnology Policy, the Biosafety Act, and a set of Biosafety Regulations, playing a pivotal role in supervising the transfer, handling, and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to ensure the safety of human and animal health and environmental protection.
The eight KRAs in the strategic plan include public awareness and education on biosafety, dynamic laws and institutional policies on biosafety, biosafety assessments, compliance and enforcement, and biosafety information management. Additionally, they cover international partnerships and collaborative engagement in the Cartagena Protocol’s implementation, infrastructural and operational efficiency, and human resource management.