GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 15140

PURSUANT to section 59 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, Cap. 387, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization, proposes to commercialize genetically modified cassava in 18 counties across Kenya (Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Makueni, Kitui, Machakos, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Nakuru, Baringo, Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia,Vihiga, Kisumu, Migori and Homabay) with robust and durable resistance to CMD (cassava mosaic disease) and CBSD (cassava brown streak disease). The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Illegal release and inadequate access to planting material • Prevent illegal release of stem cuttings within confined fields until all approvals are acquired. • Engage in seed multiplication of the approved varieties for availability of clean planting materials. • Segregate the best performing GM varieties based on their suitable agro-ecological zones. • Institute prior mechanism using existing protocols for an all-inclusive varietal naming exercise. Non-adherence to existing protocols • Adhere to all relevant local and international policies, legal and regulatory frameworks. • Ensure prior acquisition of all regulatory approvals from NBA, KEPHIS and NEMA before commercial release. • Ensure adequate public participation is undertaken during the ESIA exercise to foster public awareness. Perceived food Safety concerns • Availability of NBA approval declaring the GM cassava varieties as safe for food, feed and environment. • Possession of the approval for commercial release is an indicator that all safety protocols have been met and ascertained. Poor Access & availability of planting material • Foster collaborative engagements with County governments to facilitate smooth flow of information. • Collaborate with existing cassava partners to offer training to cassava seed entrepreneurs to enhance seed multiplication. • Establish demonstration farms in KALRO satellite stations undertaking multiplication and bulking of cultivars Limited Knowledge • Utilize the existing KALRO stations undertaking multiplication and bulking of cultivars to offer practical sessions to all relevant stakeholders. • Partnership with County agricultural extension officers to disseminate information to farmers on suitable GM cassava varieties. • Conduct trainings and sensitization workshops to create awareness on the best cultivation practices for best production levels. Poor storage techniques • Adopt traditional storage mechanisms to extend shelf-life of harvested GM cassava. • Embrace the use of hermetic bags for cassava storage which is a chemical free method. • Train farmers on small-scale processing of cassava into basic products • Adopt the GM cassava as a high value crop and fast truck completion of CAIPs to provide decentralized, climate-smart storage and processing facilities. • Encourage staggered planting seasons to minimize oversupply during harvesting periods and minimize post-harvest loses. Climate change variability • Farmers to adopt climate-smart farming practices. 16th October, 2025 THE KENYA GAZETTE Impacts Mitigation Measures • Encourage adoption of climate-smart GM cassava varieties through selection of approved varieties considered tolerant to drought and heat. • Farmers to embrace water management measures to mitigate against drought effects. • Sensitize farmers to employ integrated pest and disease management strategies. Pest &Diseases • Commercially release the GM cassava varieties resistant to CMD & CBSD. • Ensure farmers can access clean planting materials in KALRO stations. • Discourage farmers from acquisition of planting materials from uncertified sources • Encourage farmers with adequate land to be trained as cassava seed entrepreneur (CSE) to avail clean planting materials. Soil contamination • Farmers to practice crop rotation and diversification to maintain healthy soils. • Promote the adoption of genetically modified cassava varieties resistant to diseases. • Farmers to adopt sustainable farming practices such as contour cultivation, closer plant spacing etc • The GM cassava varieties release to eradicate the application of chemical insecticides thus lowering pesticide residues in soil, water and food. Water loss • The drought-tolerant GM cassava will ensure sustainable management by thriving in hot and dry regions with water-scarcity. • Similarly, to the convention varieties, the approved GM cassava will self-regulate through natural processes. • Canopy formation in the GM varieties during its growth period will reduce evaporation in the soil surface. • Encourage farmers to apply mulch (e.g. organic straws or leaves) around the base of young cassava. • Encourage farmers to periodically undertake weed control. Public fear due to misconceptions • Engage in continuous targeted public sensitization and awareness campaigns. • Set up demonstration farms within KALRO satellite stations to promote practical learning and observation for farmers and other stakeholders. • NBA can consider spearheading a nationwide campaign to sensitize the public on the importance of GM crops developed using biotechnology. Inadequate market and poor prices • Enhance links between cassava farmers and potential buyers through formation or activation of farmer groups, cooperative societies etc. • Encourage farmers and processors to explore value addition of cassava • Establish collaborations between County governments and farmer groups to create programmes that boost market accessibility and market prices. Perceived cyanide • The developed and approved GM cassava varieties have cyanogenic levels within Impacts Mitigation Measures toxicity fears permissible limits. • The low cyanogenic levels make all the approved 8 varieties sweet thus eradicating the bitter varieties. • The approved GM cassava varieties will guarantee more safety to famers who consume cassava leaves as vegetables due to the low cyanogenic levels. Cultural perceptions e.g. poor man’s crop • Promote public awareness and sensitization on cassava production to adopt and consider the crop’s importance based on nutritional value and financial benefit. Prolonged maturity period • All approved varieties have an early maturity period of between 8-12 months therefore inspiring its adoption by farmers who had shifted to other fast-growing crops. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Foresty, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 30126–00200, Nairobi. (b) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. A copy of the EIA report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke The National Environmental Management Authority, invites members of the public to submit oral or written comments within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice to the Director-General, NEMA to assist the Authority in the decision making process for this project. Kindly quote ref. No. NEMA/ENVIS/SR/00083 Comments can also be e-mailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/7786980 National Environment Management Authority.