Tuesday, 6th August, 2024
Green Nairobi’s Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Sub Sector with the support of Partnership for Africa Social and Governance Research (PASGR) – Utafiti Sera Food Systems Transformation House, last week engaged with various stakeholders in reviewing Nairobi City County Urban and Peri Urban Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (UPALF) Policy, 2015 in Naivasha.
The policy was developed in 2015 for the purpose of promoting and regulating sustainable UPALF sector development to improve incomes, food security, create employment and reduce poverty to enhance living standards; with focus on land use, one health and environment.
In addition to reviewing the policy, participants were sensitized on the critical policy challenges facing Kenya’s food system and how policy issues can be dealt with to enhance food security.
The convening also set to strengthen capacity and provide a space for all stakeholders to share the knowledge on the emerging trends on the food system space including new technologies and transformation across the region.
The three day workshop was attended by Food and Agriculture Subsector team, County legal team, representatives from National Government agencies and departments, research institutions, farmers unions, Civil society organizations, development partners and private sectors among others.
Speaking at the event, County Chief Officer Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Ms. Gladwell Cheruiyot said once the policy is revised, it will solve many problems surrounding food issues especially food safety. She noted that many Nairobi residents do not trust the food they eat when it comes to safety, hence the reason why the County is focused on implementing the food systems strategy.
“Food safety is a major problem in Nairobi. We need to come together as stakeholders and handle the challenge through policies. The issue of food safety will only be achieved through food traceability.” Said Ms. Cheruiyot.
The Chief Officer pointed out that the Nairobi City County Agricultural Sector Steering and Coordination Mechanism (CASSCOM) bill 2024 which is mandated to ensure that agricultural programmes and projects in the county are well coordinated, is also expected to help deal with food security and safety matters.
Ms. Cheruiyot appreciated PASGR for supporting the County in reviewing the Urban and Peri- Urban Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Policy which is key in the implementation of food systems.
Ms. Pauline Ngimwa, the Ag. Chief Executive Officer PASGR commended the County for the efforts made on the issues of food security and safety. She added that other counties will be benchmarking with Nairobi City County if it gets it right on the food system space.
“As PASGR, we are concerned about capacity building and strengthening existing capacities. We are privileged to have Nairobi County work with us and allowing us to interrogate the policy.” Said Ms. Ngimwa.
PASGR is a not for profit organization working to enhance research excellence in governance and public policy that contributes to the overall well -being of women and men.
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