Kenyan court declares law banning seed sharing unconstitutional

A Kenyan high court ruled that sections of a seed law restricting farmers from sharing and selling indigenous seeds are unconstitutional. The law, enacted in 2012, imposed heavy penalties on farmers, including imprisonment.

Justice Rhoda Rutto declared the law unconstitutional as it allowed government raids on seed banks. This decision is seen as a significant victory for food security and indigenous farming practices. Farmer Samuel Wathome expressed relief, stating, “the court has said I can do the same for my grandchildren without fear of the police or of prison.” Food campaigners hailed the ruling as a blow against corporate control of the food system.