On April 8–9, 2025, the Kenya National Food Systems Summit took place at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, hosted by Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. This pivotal event gathered a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, youth, women leaders, private sector actors, farmers, and civil society, all dedicated to evaluating the nation’s progress and reinvigorating efforts under Kenya’s five national pathways for food systems transformation.
One of the opening keynote speakers included Lucy Kioko, the Executive Director of Sustainable Agriculture Foundation (SAF). She emphasized the critical role of agri-food systems in achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“By embracing sustainable practices, enhancing value chains, and reducing food loss, we can significantly improve food security, nutrition, and livelihoods.” This set the stage for meaningful discussions centred around the theme “Build Prosperity Through Inclusive, Innovative, Collaborative, and Dynamic Food Systems.”
– Lucy Kioko-
Elizabeth Imbo, the NICE Project Manager for Kenya, also took part in a panel discussion on food systems where she emphasized the importance of supporting urban and peri-urban agriculture.
“It is crucial to ensure women and youth are at the heart of all interventions.” Her insights during the plenary session underscored the progress the NICE Project is making, particularly in Busia and Bungoma, by adopting a multistakeholder approach to empower local farmers and enhance access to nutritious foods.
– Elizabeth Imbo –
The session also spotlighted the essential role of informal and traditional food markets in ensuring food access for low-income communities in secondary cities. By improving infrastructure and formalizing these markets, we can significantly reduce food loss, enhance hygiene, and protect vendors. Strategies for advancing urban food systems were discussed, focusing on innovative outreach methods like radio messaging and play-based learning, as well as ensuring food traceability to build consumer trust.
Other key topics discussed in the conference included:
– Youth and Women Inclusion: Engaging young people and women in agribusiness leadership and decision-making processes.
– Diet Diversification: Strategies to combat malnutrition and non-communicable diseases.
– Digital Transformation: Leveraging technology to digitize agri-food systems for greater efficiency.
– Climate Action: Focusing on nature-positive and climate-resilient farming practices.
– Financing and Coordination: Unlocking investments and fostering multisector partnerships to support these initiatives.
Throughout the forum, interactive panels, exhibitions, and side events highlighted innovations and case studies from across Kenya. These sessions highlighted how data-driven decisions and localized actions can help steer the country toward achieving Vision 2030 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As the forum concluded, it laid the groundwork for upcoming regional meetings, including the Africa Regional Preparatory Meeting in May 2025 and the UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment in Addis Ababa in July 2025. This event marks a significant step toward a sustainable future for Kenya, fostering collaboration and commitment among all stakeholders involved in the food systems transformation journey.
