The Court of Appeal has stopped the government from taking any further steps towards importing genetically modified (GMO) crops and food into the country, granting temporary relief to opponents of the technology.

In a ruling favouring the Kenyan Peasants League, the appellate judges placed a hold on GMO imports as they considered an appeal against the High Court’s earlier decision to lift the ban.

"We are persuaded that, in the circumstances of this case and given what is at stake, the precautionary principle militates in favour of granting conservatory orders during the pendency of the appeal," reads the ruling.

The appeal, filed by lawyer Kevin Oriri, argues that the lifting of the GMO ban failed to consider scientific research warning of potential dangers to human health and the environment.

"The State plans to proceed with importing and distributing genetically modified foods, with GMO maize set for release into the Kenyan market almost immediately if preservatory orders are not granted," he stated.

Government representatives countered the claims, stating that Kenya has a well-defined legal and institutional framework regulating GMO crops.

They argued that before any imports or cultivation, the products would undergo thorough scrutiny by regulatory bodies.

With the court recognising the urgency of the matter, the appeal has been fast-tracked for a hearing in the second term of this year, setting the stage for a critical legal battle over the future of GMO foods in Kenya.