Breakfast Meeting with Nairobi County to Ignite Project Launch:

On the vibrant morning of August 1st, 2023, a groundbreaking activity unfolded in Nairobi, captivating the city’s attention. In an unprecedented collaboration with the Alliance of Bioversity International -CIAT and Feedback to the Future, the Diabetes Awareness Trust (DAT) orchestrated a spectacular High-level Breakfast meeting at the prestigious Best Western Meridian Hotel. The stage was set for an ambitious endeavor: the unveiling and commencement of the visionary project – ” Piloting an organic food system in Kenya, by connecting vulnerable consumers in Nairobi with small scale producers in Makueni county”. This audacious initiative aimed to bridge the gap between Nairobi’s vulnerable consumers and small-scale producers in Makueni County, sparking a shift towards organic, sustainable, and health-conscious food systems.

A Crisis Unveiled: Battling Malnutrition and Unhealthy Diets

The dire consequences of unhealthy diets have long plagued our global community, leaving no nation untouched. The prevailing food systems have long disregarded the marginalized, intensifying the triple threat of malnutrition. In Kenya, where approximately 5% of the population (2.6 million people) resides in urban poor settlements, this issue hits particularly hard. The ramifications span from climate change repercussions to land degradation and biodiversity loss – products of unsustainable agricultural practices. Astonishingly, agriculture alone contributes a staggering 21–37% of the world’s greenhouse effect, an alarming statistic that must be addressed.

Crafting a Resilient Food Future

“Why is food fortification a must in Kenya?” you may ponder. The answer lies within the skyrocketing rates of non-communicable diseases, largely attributed to our flawed food choices. The root lies in our agricultural practices. The consortium formed here was born to promote organic farming and consumption, to rejuvenate food supply chains, and to champion food safety in informal settlements – a critical concern reverberating across developing nations in Africa.

Empowerment through Education and community engagement: Nurturing the Urban Farmer

In locales like Viwandani, a timely intervention becomes paramount. We owe our residents more than a handout – we must equip them with the skills to empower themselves. The County Director Food System, MS Rose Randall, whose resounding vision encompasses affordable, accessible, and safe foods for every Nairobi resident. This noble pursuit hinges on five strategic objectives encapsulated in the Nairobi city county food system strategy: heightened food production, stable supply, improved incomes, minimized losses, and enhanced consumer welfare.

Urban farming has emerged as a beacon of hope, with innovative practices such as vertical gardens and container-based cultivation. And Nairobi? It’s not just a concrete jungle; it’s a tapestry of rural and urban spaces, brimming with farmers ready to embrace transformative farming practices.

 Amidst the lively dialogue, Dr. Essam Said, Acting Director of Medical Services and Head of Primary Health Nairobi County, takes the stage, weaving stories of past projects that faltered due to a lack of community engagement. He implores the consortium to embrace a bottom-up strategy, one that envelops the community in decision-making. His rallying call for innovation such as hydroponics, vertical space agriculture – these are the tools of progress, keys to ensuring the project’s vitality.

Harnessing Partnerships: Cultivating Change Together

With each impassioned speaker, the message resonates: partnerships form the bedrock of change. The DAT, strides forward with determination. Their contribution to the project’s success is two-fold: heightening awareness about nutritious food practices among urban consumers and piloting an organic food model with evidence-based insights for broader adoption. Through community health volunteer training, cooking demonstrations, awareness campaigns, and the formation of consumer groups, the DAT propels the journey towards healthier, organic diets.

In the end, the collective cry resounds – practical education drives behavioral shifts, and unity paves the way for progress. Together, through boundless partnerships, Kenya can transcend the shackles of non-communicable diseases and herald an era of nourishment, health, and hope.

Story by: Elizabeth Njoka, Programme Officer, DAT

Editor: Hannah Kigamba