Abed Mathagu
Abed Mathagu holds a Bsc. degree in Forestry from Moi University in Kenya, a Msc. degree in Plant Pathology from the University of Nairobi in Kenya and a Master’s degree in Biosafety from the University of Ancona in Italy. He is currently enrolled for a PhD program at Jomo Kenyatta University in Kenya. Before joining AATF, Abed was acting as the General Manager for Phytosanitary and Biosafety Services at the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS).
He served in the National Biosafety Authority Board between 2010 and September 2014 as well as in its predecessor, the National Biosafety Committee from 2005 to 2009. Abed participated in the development of Kenya’s Biosafety Act and Regulations as well as in different institutional biosafety committees, including those of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE).
He participated in the Codex Alimentarius Commission’s Committee on Genetically Modified Food Labelling and Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Taskforce on Foods Derived from Biotechnology which developed the Codex Plant Guideline for GM Risk Assessment. Abed chaired the Technical Committee on Biotechnology at the Kenya Bureau of Standards from 2009 to September 2014.
He has wide experience in regulatory work. As Programme Officer, Regulatory Affairs, Abed is charged with coordinating planning, implementing and monitoring of WEMA regulatory activities to secure permit approvals and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in partner countries.