By Milliam Murigi
As climate change tightens its grip on Kenya’s food system, a new report shows that the country is turning to genome editing as a strategic tool to safeguard food security and boost agricultural resilience.
Genome editing is a new breeding tool that allows scientists to make precise changes within a plant’s or animal’s own DNA, much like correcting a typing error in a long sentence.
Beyond crops and livestock, the same technology can also be applied to microorganisms, fisheries, forestry, and even medical research.
The report Genome Editing (GEd) Landscape Analysis in Kenya, commissioned by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and conducted by Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International and AGTECH Consulting Ltd, reveals that the country has moved beyond theory into real research, regulation, and early deployment of genome-edited innovations.
“Most of these projects remain at the research and development stage, with only one currently in scaling. Still, the pipeline signals a clear shift toward science-driven agricultural solutions tailored to Kenya’s local needs,” says Florence Wambugu, Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International Chief Executive Officer.
According to the analysis, in Kenya there are several concluded and ongoing genome-editing projects with crops accounting for about 67 percent and livestock for 25 percent. Research efforts are focused on high-impact challenges that directly affect farmers and consumers.
Among the flagship projects is Striga-resistant sorghum, developed using CRISPR technology to combat a parasitic weed that devastates yields in arid and semi-arid lands. Scientists are also working on maize resistant to maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND), a viral disease that has caused devastating losses since it emerged in the region.
Bananas are being edited for resistance to bacterial wilt, cassava for reduced toxicity and disease tolerance, and pearl millet for longer shelf life. In livestock, genome editing is being applied to accelerate vaccine development for diseases such as East Coast Fever and African swine fever both major threats to pastoral livelihoods.
“Kenya’s progress is underpinned by a growing pool of skilled scientists and institutions. Universities such as Kenyatta University, the University of Nairobi, Egerton University, and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology are training students in biotechnology, molecular biology, and genomics,” she added.
At the research level, international centers based in Kenya including the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) have established advanced genome-editing platforms. These facilities are training African scientists in the full genome-editing pipeline, from gene discovery to plant regeneration.
“Despite this progress, some challenges remain, such as limited access to high-throughput sequencing equipment, funding constraints, and restrictive procurement laws that slow laboratory operations,” said Dr. James Okeno, CEO Agtech Consulting Ltd.
Another strongest assets that Kenya has is its regulatory preparedness. The report finds that Kenya has one of the most robust and functional biosafety systems in Africa, anchored in the Biosafety Act of 2009 and reinforced by genome editing-specific guidelines published in 2022.
The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) oversees genome-edited products in close collaboration with sector regulators such as the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), the Department of Veterinary Services, and the Kenya Bureau of Standards.
Since its establishment, the regulatory system has approved multiple confined field trials, environmental releases, and—critically—three genome-edited products at environmental approval stage. Kenya has a relatively flexible and friendly regulatory framework for GEd (published GEd Guidelines), allowing for case-by-case review and enabling such agricultural innovation
“This product-based, case-by-case approach aligns Kenya with emerging global trends that distinguish genome-edited products from traditional GMOs, offering clarity to researchers and investors alike,” said Dr. Okeno.
According to the report, donor funding especially from the Gates Foundation, USAID, and CGIAR programs has driven most genome-editing research in Kenya and domestic investment remains limited. The National Research Fund is yet to allocate dedicated funding for genome editing, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.
“There is need for increased national investment, stronger public-private partnerships, and targeted support for young scientists to ensure Kenya retains leadership in this rapidly evolving field,” added Dr. Okeno.
Agriculture remains the backbone of Kenya’s economy, contributing between 20 and 25 percent of GDP and supporting nearly a fifth of wage employment. Yet the sector faces mounting pressure from climate change, erratic rainfall, land degradation, pests, and diseases. Staple crops such as maize, sorghum, cassava, and bananas are central to household food security and are increasingly becoming vulnerable.
