Catholic Bishop Anthony Muheria tells off CS Kuria over GMO remarks
Nyeri Diocese Archbishop, Anthony Muheria, has responded to remarks made by Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria regarding genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which sparked debate last week.
Speaking to the media on Monday, the Bishop said it was inappropriate and disrespectful to make light of the situation.
Muheria advised leaders against trivializing important issues like GMOs,
“It was disgraceful and disrespectful to Kenyans to joke about life and death,” he said.
Muheria asserted that the CS should apologize to Kenyans, particularly in light of the country’s current drought in some regions.
“We feel irrespective of the matter in consideration, we would request honestly that Kenyans deserve respect and not spite and in this matter, they deserve an apology,” he said.
“Don’t take Kenyans for granted; let’s respect the people we lead and accord them their dignity,” he added.
Kuria aroused controversy last week by audaciously acknowledging that eating foods containing genetically modified organisms can cause death.
“Being in this country you are a candidate for death and because many things are competing for death in this country, there is nothing wrong with adding GMOs to that list,” Kuria said.
On Sunday, Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga also broke his silence and condemned Kuria’s sentiments as callous and regrettable. He also voiced his opposition to the plans by President William Ruto’s administration to bring in genetically modified food.
Odinga further asked the CS to apologize to Kenyans for his remarks.