Kenyan High Court Victory: Indigenous Seed Sharing Legalized

A Kenyan court has deemed sections of a seed law unconstitutional, allowing farmers to share and sell indigenous seeds. This decision is hailed as a major win for food security and cultural heritage. The ruling opposes previous restrictions favoring licensed companies and is celebrated by farmers and activists.

In a landmark ruling, Kenya's high court on Thursday struck down sections of a seed law, declaring unconstitutional the provisions that hindered farmers from sharing or selling indigenous seeds. Food campaigners have hailed this as a significant victory for food security and cultural preservation.

Previously, farmers faced potential imprisonment and hefty fines for sharing seeds through community seed banks, according to a 2012 law. Justice Rhoda Rutto ruled that such restrictions were unconstitutional, and especially criticized the powers given to government officials to raid seed banks.

The law, initially intended to curb counterfeit seed sales, granted exclusive seed trading rights to licensed companies. However, smallholder farmers, represented by those including Samuel Wathome, contended that this law undermined traditional seed practices. The court's decision is seen as a validation of indigenous farming methods, with activists like Elizabeth Atieno of Greenpeace Africa praising the ruling as a stand against corporate control of Kenya's food system.

(With inputs from agencies.)