The Catholic church in Kenya has condemned Trade CS Moses Kuria over the controversial remarks he made about GMOs.
Speaking at Strathmore University last week, CS Kuria said that since there are a thousand ways for Kenyans to die, GMO foods should be added to the list.
“We have so many things that can kill us in the country. Being in this country, you are a candidate for death,” Kuria said on Friday.
“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.”
On Saturday, CS Kuria doubled down on his sentiments saying those who were complaining the most were the privileged who were not in desperate need of food.
“It is completely callous for rich idlers and Twitterati with a bowl of pizza and fish fingers to continue attacking our GMO policy while Hustlers are dying of hunger and poisoned donkey meat. You will burn in hell,” he said.
While he may have been speaking in jest, the outspoken minister with a reputation for having a loose tongue evoked strong reactions from Kenyans, including the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Through Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria, the clergy said it is inappropriate for a Cabinet minister to callously talk about death.
“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 statement whereby we trivialize death, suffering and insecurity,” he said in a presser on Monday.
Archbishop Muheria called upon Moss Kuria to apologize to Kenyans for his spiteful remarks.
“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.”
Archbishop Muheria at the same time called for more discussions on GMOs, saying it was unacceptable to gamble with the lives of Kenyans.
“This issue of GMOs is a discussion that deserves deep and fair engagement with scientists and the Kenyans so that we can understand the implications behind this issue.
“Let us keep politics out of these discussions because the government is taking this route in an effort to offer momentary relief. But we should discuss what ails Kenyans and we need to engage and speak soberly,” Muheria added.
