Mombasa, Kenya – Tuesday, 19th August 2025
The Kenya University Biotechnology Consortium (KUBICO) has been urged to roll out more training for Judges on biotechnology to prepare the Judiciary to handle science related litigations. The Judges were speaking during the Kenya Judges Colloquium 2025 held in Mombasa in August 2025. The colloquium, themed “Digital Transformation, Technology and the Law – Tech Justice”, brought together members of the judiciary, legal scholars, scientists, and policymakers to explore the intersection of law, science, and emerging technologies.
As part of the ongoing training commitment by KUBICO, the consortium Chairman and Registrar for Research, Innovation and Outreach at Kenyatta University, Prof. Richard Oduor, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on the intersection between science, ethics and the law.
In his address titled “Biotechnology: The Science, the Ethics and the Law”, Prof. Oduor highlighted the critical role of modern biotechnology in shaping Kenya’s future across health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. He underscored the need for the judiciary to be adequately informed and trained on the rapidly evolving field, noting that legal frameworks must keep pace with scientific advancements to promote innovation while safeguarding public interest.
“Science does not exist in a vacuum,” Prof. Oduor observed. “Every breakthrough has the potential to improve lives but raises ethical considerations and legal questions. Our responsibility as a society is to ensure that while we embrace innovation, we remain mindful of safety, equity, and accountability.”
The presentation sparked engaging discussions among judges on issues such as gene editing, bioethics, intellectual property rights, and the regulatory environment for emerging technologies. Judges, legal professionals and judicial staff reiterated the need for more training on modern biotechnology to prepare them to handle and navigate unique legal challenges that accompany recent scientific advances. As biotechnology head to full commercialization, KUBICO was asked to make these meetings more frequent to reach out to the many Judges serving in Kenyan Courts.
The Kenya Judges Colloquium 2025 served as a platform to bridge the gap between science and the law, reinforcing the importance of cross-sector collaboration in navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital and biotechnology revolutions.