Nairobi, 23rd February 2024
Nairobi City County is in the process of initiating discussions on food traceability and safety with Murang’a and other Counties who supply the county with farm produce.
This was revealed by Nairobi City County Executive Committee Member for Green Nairobi Mr. Ibrahim Auma and Murang’a County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Development Mr. Kiringai wa Kamau, during a feedback meeting with Malawian delegation who are in the Country for a study visit on nutrition sensitive interventions and agricultural best practices.
The two Ministers said that they had begun engagements to see how better 80% of food entering Nairobi from outside can be traced for the purpose of ensuring safe and secure for all. Nairobi county only produces about 20% of its food while 80% come from the other Counties of Murang’a, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Nyahururu, Nakuru and others.
This announcement comes at a better time when Nairobi City County is in the process of implementing a 5-year Nairobi Food Systems Strategy (2022 – 2027) making it a big achievement for the county.
Mr. Auma said that Nairobi produces 20% of its food through various technologies used in production and also agro processing. He noted that although the County was struggling with food safety issues, he is glad that the journey to addressing the matter has commenced.
“We pride ourselves on producing most of the best farmers nationally, demystifying the notion that Nairobi is a concrete jungle.” Mr. Auma said.
” Food safety is going to be key agenda in Murang’a. Mr. Ibrahim and I, are in discussions on how Murang’a can supply safe food in Nairobi. We want to address the issue of non-communicable diseases resulting from chemicals used in farm produce. I guarantee Nairobi of safe food from Murang’a.” Said CECM, Murang’a County and the Chair Person caucus of Central Region Economic Block.
Mr. Auma also welcomed the field visits feedback from the Malawi team, noting that it will help the county know where to make improvements.
The Malawi team expressed gratitude for the chance given to them to study urban farming in the county. They had a lot to learn and were particularly impressed by the farming technologies and innovations Nairobi county has embraced despite limited spaces (vertical gardens, multistory gardens, hydroponics and many more), food waste management where groups of youth make oil from avocados, plastic, fire woods, briquette making compost manure making, soap making from market food waste.
They also appreciated the school feeding program and especially the technology used on the wrist bands. Also, the amenities which have been put in place.
They had a chance to compare notes with a similar program in Malawi where the food is completely free; food is contributed by the community and parents volunteer to prepare food for free.
Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Subsector was praised for initiating projects that empower youth and creating jobs for them through agribusiness and waste management circular economy.
” we appreciate the learning we have received here. We have loved the concept of urban farming in Nairobi, with interventions and technologies used here for urban farming. The farmers using technology and easily available resources to do farming, is commendable.” Said Joseph Maulana from Malawi.
Maulana asked the County Government to help the youth broaden their vision and meet the market demand of their products. He noted most of youth groups they interacted with admitted being not able to meet the market demand.
County Director for Crops Ms. Mary Kibira reported that the County addressing the issue by training and helping the youth groups to come up with business plans in order to ensure sustainability of their projects.
She also said that the agriculture Subsector is planning to put up vegetable gardens in schools with available spaces to ensure pupils get enough vegetables to supplement their diet.
Mr. Edgar Okoth, the National Coordinator and Head of Secretariat at Scaling up Nutrition Civil Society Alliance of Kenya thanked the County Government for making the learning process for the Malawians a reality. He urged the Malawi team to transfer and replicate the good lessons they have learned from Kenya to Malawi.
The feedback session was also attended by the Subsector Directors, Deputy Directors and Assistant Director for Markets.
Present was also the Assistant Director Parks who took the delegation on Uhuru Park tour.
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