Supporting resilient secondary cities; Nutrition in City Ecosystems Kenya

On October 31st, World Cities Day celebrates the vital role of youth in urban decision-making for sustainable development. This year, the focus is on youth climate changemakers driving local action.

Vegetables growing in a kitchen garden maintained by the NICE project

The world’s cities continue to grow, and it is estimated that 70% of the global population will reside in urban areas in 2050. With this growth, particularly in secondary cities, it is crucial to implement adaptive solutions to address a growing list of challenges, including climate shocks, increasing food insecurity, rising inequalities, and various forms of malnutrition.

The interactions among these challenges have far-reaching and adverse impacts, especially on the most vulnerable communities compared to those with higher socioeconomic levels. Busia and Bungoma are secondary cities where the NICE project have been implementing a food systems approach for the past three years in Kenya. These cities acknowledge that food systems are complex and interconnected with other existing systems, such as health, markets, and value chains, and therefore must be addressed through a multipronged strategy.

By focusing on food production, governance, and sustainable diets and nutrition, the NICE project has integrated its interventions with city initiatives to mitigate and adapt to existing challenges. The project employs a multifaceted approach, collaborating with farmer hubs, local city governments, and communities in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas Sustainable food production is promoted through farmer hubs, which serve as one-stop input and last-mile service providers. The project has supported them in strengthening their production capacity to be more sustainable through agroecology and its principles. Digital solutions, such as Solute Ag, have further enabled greater business resilience by optimizing small-holder reach in the peri-urban and foodsheds.

In terms of governance, the project has promoted an inclusive approach by involving women and youth in city-led food systems platforms, where their participation and voices are prioritized. By supporting small grant initiatives that target the most vulnerable groups in city food systems, women and youth have been able to launch interventions that ensure access to food for vulnerable households and children in schools, shortening the value chains (African leafy vegetables) providing fresh food while also creating livelihood and safety net mechanisms for these groups. The food systems platforms recognize the critical role of the various government departments, such as health, education, agriculture, environment, and gender, making them people-centred and locally led. This guarantees ownership and long-term sustainability.

Vegetables sellers at a market in Bungoma county

Sustainable diets and nutrition are achieved through food safety policies and consumer sensitization initiatives focused on healthy diets. This includes smart food tips, cooking demonstrations, and nutrition education in schools through 4K clubs.  With the entry of ICLEI in the partnership, the local cities of Busia have a platform to exchange and learn with other regional and global cities, prioritizing local food policies and food charters to benefit the city.  This World Cities Day, the NICE Project reinforces the commitment to sustainable urban living and community-driven change.

Article credited to: Elizabeth Imbo, NICE Kenya Project Manager; Helen Prytherch – NICE Project Swiss TPH ; Annette Wachira- NICE Kenya Communications