SDC contribution to improving healthy diets in cities - Kenya national stocktake moment
In 2021, the UN secretary general convened the first UN Food systems summit (UNFSS) ushered in the new narrative and a turning point in recognizing the role played by food systems to the achievement of the agenda 2030 (Sustainable Development Goals). The event in 2021 catalysed the national pathways for transformation and mobilize a wide range of local, subnational, national, regional and global stakeholders. However, since the challenges such as climate shocks, geopolitical instability in the regions and globally and economic shocks have greatly exacerbated food and nutrition security.
Kenya established and unveiled a visionary and ambitious plan aimed at revolutionizing its food systems and addressing the critical challenges of food security. Kenya vision to a transformative food system evolved through regional food systems dialogue sessions held across the country. This vision was encapsulated in 5 interconnected pathways.
- Increasing the number of young people and women with access to productive resources that they require to thrive and have access to healthier diets.
- Improve the diversity of diets including fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat and fish, as well as grains.
- Increase the uptake of digital agricultural solutions.
- Heighten climate action to build the resilience of our people.
- Enhance partnerships at local regional and global levels
Increasing the number of young people and women with access to productive resources that they require to thrive and have access to healthier diets. Improve the diversity of diets including fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat and fish, as well as grains. Increase the uptake of digital agricultural solutions. Heighten climate action to build the resilience of our people. Enhance partnerships at local regional and global levels
The two-day event co hosted by NICE project, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture livestock and Development (MoALD) among other key stakeholders designed to gathering learning and taking accountability of the interventions, and innovations by governments, development partners, research and private sector players through the exhibitions to show case innovations and practices and side events
These pathways underpin the broader national development strategies, priorities and plans. The four coalitions are A Coalition of Action for Achieving Zero Hunger; School Meals Coalition: Nutrition, Health and Education for Every Child; Global Coalition for Data and Digital Food Systems Innovation; Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health.
The UN committed to holding these summits every 2 years, in 2023 and in 2025. The UNFSS+4 National Food Systems Stocktaking Forum aimed to reviewing the overall progress, accomplishments, lessons learned, challenges, and potential solutions along the five key national pathways for transforming agri-food systems in Kenya. This event focused on consolidating accountability and unlocking investments opportunities for food systems transformation. The event laid the momentum towards the Africa Regional Food Systems Summit in May 2025 in Nairobi and the global Summit in July in Addis Ababa.
NICE project participated in a panel session, to discuss and deep dive into the changing dynamics in the urban food systems space and the impacts in large cities like Nairobi and Kisumu and secondary cities. Important issues such as the food safety, strengthening policies, food loss and waste and urban technologies and the meaningful engagement or women youth and vulnerable communities were important discussions.
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. It also reinforced the alignment with global food and health policies to combat hunger, malnutrition and poverty through nutrition sensitive agriculture and food systems. 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
