Kenya may soon allow the use of genetically - modified cotton and maize seeds , following pressure from Monsanto , the US government aid agency ( USAID ) , and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation . Kenya banned use of GMO products in 2012 . In 2008, AATF received US$47 million from the Gates Foundation, which has been criticized by global activists for pushing a “big agribusiness” approach to African farming. However , a recent decision by Monsanto ’s Kenyan subsidiary could allow the use of the modified seeds which produce insecticides to poison butterflies and moths . In 2008 , the Kenyan - based African Agricultural Technology Foundation ( AATF ) received $ 47 million from the Gates Foundation , which has been criticized by global economists for pushing a “ big agribusiness ” approach to African farming and for its close ties to Monsanto and USAID . If Kenya lifts its ban on GMO seeds , it would be the fourth African country after Burkina Faso , South Africa and Zimbabwe . Monsanto unsuccessfully attempted to introduce its Bt - cotton seed to Malawi in 2009 .
Kenya may soon allow the use of genetically - modified cotton and maize seeds , following pressure from Monsanto , the US government aid agency ( USAID ) , and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation . Kenya banned use of GMO products in 2012 . However , a recent decision by Monsanto ’s Kenyan subsidiary could allow the use of the modified seeds which produce insecticides to poison butterflies and moths . In 2008 , the Kenyan - based African Agricultural Technology Foundation ( AATF ) received $ 47 million from the Gates Foundation , which has been criticized by global economists for pushing a “ big agribusiness ” approach to African farming and for its close ties to Monsanto and USAID . If Kenya lifts its ban on GMO seeds , it would be the fourth African country after Burkina Faso , South Africa and Zimbabwe . Monsanto unsuccessfully attempted to introduce its Bt - cotton seed to Malawi in 2009 .