MOMBASA, Kenya, Jan 17 — The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has embarked on an ambitious drive to position itself as the leading regulator of modern biotechnology in Kenya and the wider region.
The Authority’s Board Chairperson, David Wamatsi, led board members and senior management in a strategic retreat in Mombasa focused on revenue sustainability, implementation of the NBA Strategic Plan (2023–2027), enterprise risk management, resource mobilization, and other institutional priorities.
The retreat was held under the theme, “NBA as a Centre of Excellence in GMO Regulation and Revenue Sustainability.”
Speaking during the forum, Wamatsi underscored the Authority’s critical role in regulating Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and safeguarding public welfare through effective oversight.
“Our mandate is clear under the Biosafety Act, 2009: to protect human health, animal health, and the environment from potential risks associated with GMOs. However, a mandate without capacity is merely words. That is why this retreat is important,” he said.
Wamatsi emphasized that achieving centre-of-excellence status requires science-based regulation anchored on rigorous and transparent risk assessment frameworks.
“A centre of excellence is measured by science-led regulation through risk assessments that are rigorous, transparent, and aligned with the Codex Alimentarius, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and global best practices,” he said.
He also highlighted the need to enhance service delivery through efficient permit processing, clear guidance to applicants, and digitized systems, challenging management to ensure stakeholders feel supported rather than regulated through punitive approaches.
“The East African Community (EAC), COMESA, and the African Union are watching. Let NBA become the regional hub for training, laboratory proficiency testing, and policy harmonization,” Wamatsi said.
Dr. Evans Okoyo of the Kenya School of Government, who delivered a presentation on building sustainable centres of excellence, stressed the importance of stakeholder engagement in strengthening public understanding of the Authority’s mandate and operations.
He further challenged the Board and management to embrace innovation and develop strategies that will drive institutional growth and long-term sustainability.
Nicholas Awiti from the Office of the Head of Public Service urged the Authority to remain focused on delivering its core mandate while adopting a citizen-centric approach in all its operations.
He said the NBA should position itself as a facilitator of development and innovation while effectively fulfilling the objectives for which it was established.
