Nakuru, 19th September 2024
Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Sub Sector collaborated with Partnership for Africa Social and Governance Research (PASGR) – Utafiti Sera Food Systems Transformation House in reviewing Nairobi City County Urban and Peri Urban Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (UPALF) Policy, 2015 in Nakuru, with the support of International Development Resource Centre (IDRC).
The policy review is aimed at addressing emerging issues and also aligning it with the County’s Food Systems Strategy to ensure a robust food system that tackles food safety and security for all.
While appreciating PASGR, IDRC and other actors present at the policy review forum, the County Chief Officer in charge of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ms. Cheruiyot noted that the support came in handy at a time when the County was reviewing the UPALF policy, 2015 to ensure it addresses pertinent issues of food safety.
“I really believe that our concerted efforts will bring up a very good policy that will give the people of Nairobi trust, faith, hope and dignity in the food they consume.” Said the Chief Officer.
At the same time, Ms. Gladwell Cheruiyot appealed for support from the Canadian -International Development Resource Centre, to help establish a food testing laboratory that is crucial in ensuring that food consumed within Nairobi meets the required safety standards.
The Chief Officer insisted that the policy could only be complete with a facility that can conduct accurate and timely food testing as is essential in promoting public health, thus appealing for IDRC’s support in establishing a modern food testing laboratory in the Capital City.
” Such a facility will leave farmers with no choice but to adhere to best agricultural practices and ensure that they produce safe food in the right way.” she stated.
Dr. Sandra Gagnon, the Senior Program Specialist at IDRC said that there was a need to create solutions, land them in policies and then in practice, adding that this calls for collectively working together as multiple sectors and actors.
Speaking at the same event, Dr. Pauline Ngimwa, the Ag. CEO PASGR mentioned that the Utafiti Sera Food System Transformation House is trying to contribute to strengthening equity, equitable, inclusive, resilient and sustainable food systems by enhancing the capacity for policy engagement and evidence approach targeted to strategic stakeholders with an impetus to build assistance perspective in the food value chain in Kenya.
The policy review convening brought together key actors in the food system transformation including Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources officers, representatives from County departments of Policy & Research, Legal and Health, National government agencies and departments, research institutes, on-governmental organizations, international organizations, civil society organizations, private sector and development partners, creating a platform for co- creation on mapping out policy questions and relevant evidence to shape the review process.
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