Kenyan Minister Calls for Innovative Approaches to Combat Misinformation About Science

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mithika Linturi has described biotechnology as one of the worst victims of infodemic in Africa, saying the misinformation about science has hampered the adoption of the technology on the continent.

Infodemic, which translates to an overflow of information of varying quality that surges across digital and physical environments, became a phenomenon at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking on the effect it has had on the adoption of Biotechnology, Linturi has consequently called on stakeholders in science communication and related fields to come up with innovative approaches aimed at combating misinformation about science in Africa.

The minister who made this known while making his presentation on Tuesday, the opening day of the 5^th edition of the Africa Biennial Biosciences Communication symposium (ABBC 2023) currently holding in  Nairobi, Kenya also divulge steps being taken by Kenya to accelerate the adoption of modern biotechnology.

He disclosed that Kenya has lifted the ban on the importation of genetically modified products and has also approved the cultivation of BT Cotton, adding also that efforts towards the eventual release of genetically modified Maize and Cassava in the country are on a steady course.

This year’s symposium with the theme, “Evolution of genetic improvement tools: Is communication matching up? Is being attended by delegates from within and outside Africa.

The ABBC 2023 aims to achieve a set of objectives, including offering opportunity for stakeholders to share lessons from over two decades of communicating about modern biotechnology and implications on progress with new breeding tools. It also aims to interrogate narratives framing regulatory and policy perspectives on new breeding tools and their impact on Africa’s goal for a transformed agriculture in line with Agenda 2063, as well as determine best-bet communication practices on new breeding tools that contribute to advancing sustainable food systems and planetary health goals.