This week our attention was drawn to a tweet by Kenyan lawyer and politician Paul Muite (@Paul_Muite) accusing the Gates Foundation of releasing genetically modified mosquitos in Nairobi. The claim was debunked by Gates foundation supposedly stating “We do not release mosquitoes, operate laboratories that do so, or run vector-control activities in Nairobi or anywhere else.” However, the referenced press release is not available on their website.
Despite this the controversy rumbles on. On February 12 an article in The Standard reports that advocates want to know the truth about GMO mosquitos in Nairobi. They want to see all documents related to Muite’s claim. This indicates that many Kenyans are uncomfortable with novel research malaria carried out by international organisations.
However, the Kenya government, along with many other African governments are supportive of new technology efforts. Another article today ‘Prof Faith Osier: The Kenyan scientist bringing vaccine manufacturing closer home’ promotes the malaria vaccines whose underwhelming nature we frequently discuss. They plan to start manufacturing in Kenya, although the article does not specify which vaccine. Dr Osier discusses mRNA vaccines whose use is very controversial as a result of the side-effects of the COVID ‘vaccines’.
Kenyan publication Daily Nation reported on August 20, 2025 about Gates’ plans to release genetically modified mosquitos in Tanzania in 2029, ‘Gene drive mosquitoes’ set for 2029 release to fight malaria in East Africa. This was addressed in this column in December 2025, Innovative Bug Hunting in Tanzania. We have addressed gene drive mosquitos, especially in Burkina Faso here on August16, 2025, August 29, 2025 and August 18, 2024.
Daily Nation reported On February 11 about the suspected increase in mosquito numbers in Nairobi ‘The buzzing crisis: Why mosquito numbers are rising’. Dr Eric Ochomo, an entomologist at KEMRI (Kenya Medical Research Institute) says they have noticed an increase in mosquito numbers but they are Aedes and Culex species, not Anopheles, the supposed malaria vector. He blamed the increase on increasing temperatures.
The gene drive mosquito controversy suggests that Africans are becoming more suspicious of technological solutions western organisations are introducing to the continent.