FOOD SECURITY IN KENYA

Food Security in Kenya



Table of Content

Table of Content2

Introduction:3

Background:3

Factors Affecting Food Security:5

Agriculture:5

Biotechnological Factors:8

Trade restrictions:10

Food Insecurity:12

Measures to Achieve Food Security:14

Intervention:15

Conclusion:17

References20

Food Security in Kenya

Introduction:

Kenya has the largest and most diversified economy in the East African region, with an estimated 2008 GDP of $31 billion. Its financial sector and transportation system is the economic engine for much of East and parts of Central Africa. Kenya provides the principle platform for the United States and the humanitarian community to carry out rescue and relief operations in regional trouble spots (CBS 2002).

Background:

Rapid developments have taken place within Kenya in the field of food security and drought management. Such developments highlight a spirit of collaboration and co-ordination amongst major stakeholders from all sectors (WFP 2008). Efforts in information sharing, coordinated action planning and the desire to ensure effective use of resources are underpinned by a multi-agency approach in all areas.

Significant changes in the institutional and operational framework of food security structures within Kenya began early 1999. Such developments included a revised direction for the Kenya Food Security Meeting, the formation of Geographical Review Teams and the establishment of the Kenya Food Security Information Steering Group.

As the country moved into a period of drought stress and potential emergency, these developments were seen to have a positive impact. Equally important to the system was the establishment in June 1999 of the Inter Ministerial Committee on Drought and Food Security (IMCDFS) (World Food Summit 1996).

The strengthening of the food security and drought management structure was instrumental in mounting a coordinated effort to assess drought stress conditions during the third quarter of 1999. A methodology for the same was developed and a comprehensive needs assessment report was compiled. Running alongside such developments was a period of research by the USAID/FEWS project on Food Aid Targeting.

The findings of this research in addition to the evolutionary process leading to greater collaboration and joint activity signalled a need to strengthen and indeed redefine the role of the Food Security Information Steering Group. In essence this was in recognition of the central role the steering group was playing to members of the KSFM and the Inter Ministerial Committee on Drought and Food Security and in recognition of the need to coordinate response activities as we move into the ALARM phase of the drought cycle in many districts (UNDP 2008).

It was in recognition of the central role being played by the steering group beyond that of information generation and exchange, and need for coordinated response that the KFSISG changed its name to the Kenya Food Security Steering Group (hereafter referred to as the KFSSG).

As part of the evolution processes taking place a Sub-Unit of the KFSSG was formed and charged with the responsibility of geographical food aid targeting decisions. The next step in the chain was a consultancy on the same and refinement of the system of food aid distribution and targeting (UNDP 2009). All of the changes took place in a participatory and collaborative manner which served to strengthen ...