NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 14 – Training the management of the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) on mediation will strengthen the institution’s ability to resolve disputes in the genetically modified organisms (GMOs) sector and enhance its standing globally, a senior State official has said.
Secretary for Conflict Management and Peace Building in the Executive Office of the President, Beverley Moss, said mediation capacity will help the regulator handle disputes more efficiently and professionally while maintaining its regulatory mandate.
Speaking during a mediation sensitisation training and policy development programme for NBA senior management, Moss cited Article 159(2)(c) of the Constitution, which requires State organs and public institutions to promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including mediation and arbitration.
She said unresolved internal disputes—such as human resource conflicts, leadership mistrust and poor communication—can escalate into litigation, operational paralysis and regulatory delays if not properly managed.
“Mediation provides a structured and timely pathway to restore dialogue, protect relationships and preserve institutional mandates,” Moss said, adding that effective dispute resolution supports investor confidence, regulatory certainty and social cohesion in line with Kenya Vision 2030.
She noted that mediation reduces costly litigation, prevents operational disruptions and strengthens trust within and across institutions, urging public bodies to invest in certified professional mediator training to resolve disputes early.
NBA Acting Chief Executive Officer Nehemiah Ngetich said the training would help the Authority address litigation that has hindered the execution of its mandate, particularly following increased disputes since the lifting of the GMO ban in 2022.
“We have witnessed several litigations on GMOs, and this training equips our team to engage stakeholders more effectively and move forward,” Ngetich said.
Retired High Court Judge Muga Apondi also backed mediation, saying alternative dispute resolution mechanisms reduce costs and save time for institutions.
The training was conducted by the International Mediators Academy.
