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An MP wants the Government to allow imports of genetically modified seed to spur cotton growing to replace tobacco.

Alego-Usonga's Sammy Weya says farmers in Nyanza will suffer if proposed anti-tobacco legislation is passed in Parliament.

"The Bill will definitely affect them, so the Government should find a way to compensate these farmers by allowing them to import the GM cotton seed," said Mr Weya, who chairs a parliamentary committee on tobacco.

He added: "There must be another source for tobacco farmers to earn a living as most of them are located in the poverty-stricken areas of Nyanza Province."

The Government has published a controversial Bill to regulate the tobacco industry.

Tobacco manufacturers have already started lobbying MPs to water down the Bill, expected to tighten regulation of smoking and tobacco growing.

Recently, dozens of MPs attended a controversial workshop sponsored by tobacco manufacturers to discuss the proposed law.

Mr Weya, one of those who attended the forum, wants the Tobacco Bill amended to be acceptable to all the stakeholders, for and against the Bill.

The MP was speaking at Siaya Central primary school, Siaya Town, at the weekend, during a funds drive that raised Sh94,465.

The legislator accused the media of inciting the people against the MPs by "branding them as corrupt". He was referring to questions about allowances paid to MPs and other expenses met by the tobacco manufacturers for the workshop.

Kenya produces only 20,000 bales of cotton annually, 100,000 fewer that required.

Besides low productivity, the cotton farming has been affected by low prices and delayed payments.

The area representative said this would help the local farmers who have been at criss-cross since the cotton industry in Nyanza deteriorated.

There have been complains in the cotton industry over poor and delayed payments and poor seedlings.

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