What does it take for a Food Systems Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP) to remain functional beyond meetings and project cycles? Recent exchanges organised by the NICE Project in Kenya between Busia, Bungoma, Kisumu, and Murang’a Counties pointed to a growing shift in how counties are approaching food systems governance. Increasingly, attention is moving towards the structures, partnerships, and institutional processes needed to sustain implementation over time.
In Kisumu, discussions hosted by the Food Liaison Advisory Council of Kisumu (FLACK) highlighted how co-chairing arrangements between the Kisumu County Government and non-state actors have helped strengthen ownership, collaboration, and continuity within the platform. Participants also reflected on the importance of interdepartmental coordination, accountability systems, county leadership support, and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and tracking systems in strengthening planning and implementation around county food systems priorities.
“Food Systems MSPs become meaningful when coordination translates into action that communities can see and benefit from.” Shared, Nixon Samba, Co-Chair FLACK.
Nixon Samba, Co-Chair of FLACK, presenting on the role of Food Councils in strengthening community-based food systems
In Murang’a, discussions focused more directly on sustainability and institutionalisation of the platform. The Murang’a team shared its experience navigating registration processes while continuing to operationalise MSP activities, as well as building county government and community buy-in around agroecology and food systems work. They demonstrated how linkages with global city networks such as ICLEI’s AfriFOODlinks and the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP) can strengthen visibility, collaboration, and peer learning around county food systems action.
Murang’a County further demonstrated how food systems work is being embedded within existing county structures through thematic working groups, alignment with county planning and budgeting processes, and integration of agroecology into learning institutions. Discussions around the Food Farmacy implemented the Diabetes Awareness Trust (DAT) also illustrated how agroecology, nutrition, health systems, and markets can be linked to improve access to healthy and safe foods.
For Busia and Bungoma participants, the exchanges also created space for reflection on the long-term sustainability of their own MSPs. Discussions highlighted the importance of embedding food systems priorities within county planning and budgeting processes, strengthening county ownership, and developing resource mobilisation approaches that can sustain implementation beyond projects and donor-supported activities.
“One of the key lessons for us was seeing how food systems priorities had been integrated from the County Integrated Development Plan to county budget estimates. It demonstrated the importance of county ownership and resource allocation in sustaining MSP activities,” said Busia County MSP Chair, Rev Ekesa during the Murang’a exchange.
Across both exchanges, one message emerged clearly. Sustaining Food Systems platforms requires more than convening stakeholders. It requires institutional structures, shared ownership, county leadership buy-in, and local practical systems that can support implementation beyond projects and funding cycles.
“The future of food systems is not simply about producing more food. It is about creating systems that improve health, restore ecosystems, drive innovation, support youth participation, and strengthen local economies.” Concluded Prof. Kiringai Kamau, CECM, External Linkages & Partnerships, Murang’a County Government.