To,
Nandi County Government
P.O. Box 802 – 30300
Kapsabet, Kenya.
P.O. Box 802 – 30300
Kapsabet, Kenya.
Public concern!
It is with concern that I must write to your office now (handing offer and campaign) to raise an issue of public concern that relates to:
i. Sell and Use of the Herbicide (Round-up)
ii. Regulation of Biotech products.
Overwhelming reports and texts have indicated without a doubt that Round-up Herbicide that is widely being used in the county contains Glyphosate. First, Glyphosate (the active ingredient in Round-up) has been documented on publicly available files (esp. Monsanto papers) to be Cytotoxic. In my own moral sanity and for the sake of justice for humanity, I am obligated to seek clarification and to know whether there are precautions that have been taken on handling and disposal of the same. The World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) cancer authorities – the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) – “recently determined that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). Glyphosate is the most heavily used pesticide in the world -thanks to widespread planting of Monsanto’s Roundup Ready crops, which are genetically engineered to survive when sprayed with it” (Center for Food Safety 2015). Whether this is a consequent of Scientific vandalism as the owner of the product has been accused (IARC), Cancer is beginning to take a toll on our people and we cannot continue to press on, totally disregarding its effects on environment and people. Nandi people are not an exception and they must join the World in rejection of these chemicals.
Secondly, Round-up is a recipe for seed dependence another secret agenda advanced by corporations (Monsanto and its affiliates). Our people are dependent on seed saving especially on theKienyeji vegetables and it has been stated on some reports that the Half-life of Round-up affects the normal cycle of Chepkerta and other seasonal vegetables readily available in the county.
Thirdly, our people are still reliant on rivers and wells for water hence chemicals in communal societies like ours will always find its way to the catchment areas and eventually into their bodies.
While I do not fit the category of a Scientist, I clearly can read the writing in the Wall: DISASTER. It is my view that proper precautions should be taken ASAP within the relevant department to contain the menace. There are allegations cited by the media about ongoing research which is affiliated with Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) that is currently targeted at introducing other methods of farming by introducing corn and other crops that have BT and HT genes. Also in the horizon is the highly reputed engineering of seeds also known us ‘Terminator Technology’. The same projects have been rejected in parts of Europe and corporations are finding Guinea pigs in Third World countries.
It is urgent that relevant resources be allocated now to curb this menace before the poor sell all their property to pay for Chemotherapy and Radiation. Consult with Independent Science Experts and I stressed independent experts on the same and I have attached links to help begin the investigation.
Your response to this my concern will be highly appreciated. I will be available to defend my concern if the need shall arise.
Sincerely,
Kipkosgei Arap Yego.
Mshamba Abroad 