The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops blasted Trade CS Moses Kuria over his controversial comments saying the government allowed GMOs to add it to our death list.

Nyeri Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria has expressed outrage over the death remarks and demanded that CS Kuria apologises to all Kenyans terming the remarks inappropriate.

Muheria said the callous talk about death or even gambling with the lives of Kenyans are not befitting of a Cabinet Secretary terming the sentiments by Kuria as disrespectful.

“We feel that it was distasteful and disrespectful to Kenyans to joke about life and death and even if it is an issue to be taken as a joke, it will be wrong to bring about statements whereby we trivialize death, suffering and insecurity,” said Muheria to the media on Monday.

He added: “We feel, irrespective of the matter in consideration, we would request that Kenyans deserve respect and not spite, and in this matter, they deserve an apology."

The Archbishop appealed to the President William Ruto government to reconsider its decision to lift the ban on GMOs and instead hold vigorous discussions on the matter.


“When we speak about GMOs, it is a serious matter that deserves discussions, deep and sober engagement," added the clergyman

This comes after Kuria said the 10 million duty-free GMO maize import he allowed should be added to the list of causes of death in Kenya since being in Kenya puts one in a list of death.

“We have so many things that can kill us in the 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 GMO until we are satisfied that we have enough maize, the staple food,” said Kuria at a public podium.


His sentiments have received rebuke from wide section of Kenyans led by ODM leader Raila Odinga, who accused him of lacking scientific literacy and using power to demean Kenyans.

“As a party, we believe the matter of GMO foods in our country is too serious to be reduced to a cruel and juvenile joke. We call upon Mr. Kuria and the UDA regime to apologize to the Kenyan people. Officials who lack scientific literacy on such serious matters must never use their office to demean the Kenyan people as though we are a helpless, enslaved lot,” said Raila.