Center for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (CEBIB)

The Center for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (CEBIB) is a USAID funded program at the University of Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya.


 * "The goals of the biotechnology outreach programme is to create an enabling environment for biotechnology research and development in Kenya through improved knowledge and awareness in biotechnology and biosafety among stakeholders. Overall the goal is to increase the number of people to whom significant knowledge or skills have been imparted through formal or informal means, which are generally considered to be continuous programs of at least six months of duration (i.e., not intermittent training over an elapsed period of six months or more). The outreach activities will contribute to this goal through the following three objectives:


 * "To improve knowledge and awareness in biotechnology and biosafety among biotechnology stakeholders. The various stakeholders (farmers, Agricultural extension staff, scientists, teachers, students and journalists) will be trained to improve their understanding of biotechnology and its benefits. Farmers and agricultural staff from at least 3 provinces will be trained on improved crop and livestock management through adoption of improved insect and virus resistance crops. The application of fast animal diagnostic protocols and use of improved animal disease vaccines will also form part of the training.
 * "To enhance the level of balanced reporting on biotechnology and biosafety through electronic and printed media. Under this objective the trained scientists and journalists will provide balanced and accurate information in biotechnology in various forums. Public biotechnology newsletters and brochures will be produced and distributed widely in the provinces for enhanced awareness in biotechnology.
 * "To enhance knowledge in biotechnology and biosafety among key decision makers, including policy-makers from pertinent government ministries as well as pertinent parliamentary committees. Under this objective the outreach strategy will focus on key stakeholders in policy decision such as parliamentarians and policy makers."

Stakeholders
In its objectives, CEBIB mentions working with stakeholders. Below is a list of organizations on CEBIB's website that they consider to be stakeholders:

Key Government Institutions Dealing with Biotech:
 * National Council for Science and Technology (NCST)
 * National Biosafety Authority (NBA)
 * Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
 * Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)
 * National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
 * Kenya Bureau of Standards (KBS)
 * Kenya Industrial Property Organization (KIPO)
 * Department of Veterinary Services

Key National Universities in Biotech Training & Research:
 * University of Nairobi’s Center for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics and the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Science.
 * Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Institute of Biotechnology Research.
 * Moi University School of Biotechnology and Agriculture
 * Kenyatta University
 * Egerton University
 * Maseno University
 * Masinde Muliro University of Advanced Technology

Leading NGOs in Biotechnology in Kenya:
 * African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF)
 * Agricultural Biotechnology Network in Africa (ABNETA)
 * Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International
 * ISAAA AfriCenter
 * Biotechnology Trust Africa (BTA)
 * USAID-Kenya
 * CARE-Kenya

International Centres of Excellence in Biotechnology in Kenya:
 * Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR)
 * International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
 * CIMMYT, ICRAF, IFPRI
 * Bio-Sciences East and Central Africa (BeCA)
 * African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF)
 * International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)
 * National Biosafety Authority (NBA)
 * Monsanto
 * Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS)
 * Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB)

Related SourceWatch Articles

 * U.S. Promotion of Ag Biotech in Kenya
 * U.S. State Department Promotion of Agricultural Biotechnology
 * U.S. Department of State Biotechnology Outreach Funds
 * Monsanto's Use of Humanitarian Projects to Open Global Markets to GMOs
 * Kenya Agricultural Biotechnology Support Program (KABSP)
 * Presidential Initiative to End Hunger in Africa (IEHA)
 * GMOs in Kenya
 * Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA)
 * African Agricultural Technology Foundation
 * Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)

External Resources

 * James O. Ochanda, Review of Biotechnology Capacity Building Program in Kenya: The Experience of CEBIB, Presented at Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), 27th May 2010]
 * Center for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (CEBIB) at the University of Nairobi.