An historical step for Kisumu, as the county launches its first ever food systems strategy for 2023-2027

The strategy is aimed at achieving food security and fighting malnutrition among the county's residents, through an inclusive and integrated approach. It is an important component of FAO activities in Kenya developed in the context of the Urban Food Agenda, FAO’s corporate initiative aiming at supporting local governments in integrating food systems in local policy, plans and actions.

The Kisumu County Food System Strategy has been officially presented through a launch event held in Kisumu last May, and it was also the occasion to introduce another pioneering and inter-linked initiative - the County Agri-Nutrition Strategy 2023/27.

The impetus for these initiatives stems from the stark reality that 71.3% of the county's population currently grapples with food insecurity. This pressing issue arises from various factors, such as a lack of diversification in food production, inadequate adoption of innovative farming technologies, limited access to credit facilities, exorbitant costs of agricultural inputs, and the prevalence of unregulated market systems. In response, visionary development partners rallied together to forge strategies that are efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.

The launch event was chaired by Kisumu County's First Lady, Dorothy Nyong’o who acknowledged the crucial support of FAO and the other development partners of the initiative - Practical Action, Maseno University and USAID - and she praised the collaborative efforts from various sectors that contributed to the development of these strategies.

The First Lady raised concerns about the alarming percentage of food-insecure individuals and the high prevalence of malnutrition. However, she expressed optimism that the implementation of these strategies would bring about a significant positive change in people's lives. Highlighting the positive progress made, the First Lady pointed out that Kisumu's Kibuye market now receives locally grown vegetables, and she shared the positive experience with her cancer foundation, where patients are benefiting from urban garden activities implemented under the Italian funded project, Integrated actions for innovative food systems across rural urban communities.

She also expressed her appreciation for the innovative initiatives showcased by exhibitors supported by the project, particularly highlighting the involvement of youth and women, whom she encouraged to inspire and involve others in the realm of farming, fostering a collective effort in agricultural pursuits.

The FAO Kenya Deputy Country Representative, Mr. Hamisi Williams, was impressed that,  as the Urban food Systems project is coming to a close, Kisumu County is launching the food system strategy as a way of taking the initiative forward for implementation. Mr. Hamisi further underscored the crucial important of actions to implement the strategy, recalling on the FAO’s strategic framework that defines agri- food systems as efficient, inclusive, sustainable, resilient well captured in the developed strategy.

Inclusion of diverse sectors and actors is an essential component of the Urban Food Agenda. In the case of Kisumu, different stakeholders got together to prepare the final document of the Strategy. These included technical experts from various departments such as the County sector departments of agriculture, health, urban planning, environment, trade, legal, Young Professionals for Agriculture development (YPARD-Kenya), Diplomat Youth Group, Urban Traders Association, JOOUST, Maseno University, and local farmers under the Food Liaison Advisory Group (FLAG) who gathered on several occasions supported by FAO and development partners such as Practical Action. 

The latter was represented during the event by Mr Tim Mwangi, who expressed his profound satisfaction with the inauguration of the food systems strategy, acknowledging the arduous path it has traversed thus far. Delving into the intricate nature of food systems, he also underlined the imperative of adopting a multifaceted approach, enabling diverse development partners to seamlessly contribute their support.

In the words of Hon. Kenn Onyango, the County Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, and Fisheries, the Food Systems Strategy represents a comprehensive framework involving a multitude of interconnected actors engaged in a myriad of activities. From production and aggregation to processing, distribution, consumption, and disposal, every aspect is intricately woven together.

During the event, a common point recognized between all stakeholders was the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to address food systems challenges, and to allow diverse development partners to collaborate and support the county effectively.

(Photo: Emily Mikwa)