By Faith Anene, Kakamega
The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has turned to football as an innovative strategy to counter misinformation about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and promote public awareness of the safety and potential benefits of genetically modified foods.
The Authority, in partnership with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Kakamega branch, on Sunday launched the inaugural NBA Awareness Football Tournament at Khaimba Primary School in Mumias East Sub-County.
The tournament is designed to take accurate information on GMOs directly to communities while creating opportunities for residents to interact with biosafety experts and seek clarification on issues surrounding genetically modified products.
NBA Acting Director Anne Karimi said the partnership with FKF would enable the Authority to reach a wider audience by using football, one of the country’s most popular sports, as a platform for public education.
Karimi said the NBA’s mandate is to regulate activities involving genetically modified organisms and ensure Kenyans have access to safe and quality products.
She emphasised that sustained public awareness was essential in addressing misconceptions and misinformation surrounding GMO foods and products.
“The main objective of this partnership is to create awareness among the community on genetically modified foods and products,” Karimi said.
She added that the Authority would continue collaborating with stakeholders to ensure consumers receive accurate, science-based information about GMO products and their safety.
NBA Chairman David Wamatsi said GMOs have the potential to contribute to food security by boosting agricultural production and helping address challenges linked to food shortages.
Wamatsi, however, criticised politicians for allegedly politicising the GMO debate, insisting that conversations surrounding the technology should be anchored in scientific evidence.
“GMO products can help us produce enough food, but we should base our discussions on facts and science rather than politics,” Wamatsi said.
He warned that misinformation could discourage farmers and consumers from embracing agricultural technologies that have the potential to improve food production and livelihoods.
The launch featured a curtain-raiser match between Khaimba Queens and Mung’ang’a Queens, with Mung’ang’a Queens emerging 1-0 winners at full-time.
Mung’ang’a Queens received Sh20,000, while Khaimba Queens, the runners-up, took home Sh10,000.
The tournament is being held under the theme, “Playing for Facts: Advancing Biosafety Awareness and Combating GMO Misinformation Through Football.”
The main tournament is scheduled to kick off on September 13, with 112 teams from five sub-counties expected to participate.
The teams will be drawn from Butere, Mumias East, Khwisero, Mumias West and Matungu.
According to the NBA, the tournament will combine sporting competition with community sensitisation on biosafety, GMO technology and the regulation of genetically modified products, using football to take scientific information beyond traditional public forums and closer to ordinary citizens.
