NAIROBI: The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Nairobi City County Government (NCCG), and Nairobi County Assembly are collaborating to establish a Food Safety Policy aimed at ensuring all food supplied, processed, and distributed within Nairobi adheres to national and international safety standards. The initiative is part of efforts to enhance public health, support sustainable development, and boost trade.
According to Kenya News Agency, the draft Nairobi County Food Safety Policy 2024-2030 seeks to address food safety hazards and reduce foodborne illnesses by strengthening regulations across the food supply chain. Speaking in Mombasa during a consultative meeting with MCAs and NCCG officials, GAIN Country Director Ruth Okowa emphasized the importance of improving nutrition for all stakeholders, particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children.
Okowa highlighted ongoing efforts to garner support from Nairobi MCAs to pass the draft food safety bill and policy, currently under considera
tion in the assembly. She stressed the significance of food safety in everyday life, from homes to various food markets and shops. Okowa also noted that many children in Nairobi continue to suffer from diarrhea, which undermines progress in nutrition due to unsafe food handling practices.
The implementation of the policy is expected to ensure consumers access safe food, thereby enhancing nutrition by preventing diseases related to food safety issues. In Nairobi, food consumption patterns are influenced by factors such as food safety, affordability, and availability. A study by GAIN revealed that concerns about vegetable safety deter many Nairobi residents from consuming them.
In response to micronutrient deficiencies highlighted in the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, 2022, GAIN’s programs promote the consumption of green leafy vegetables, particularly for vulnerable families. Okowa emphasized the importance of proper food storage to prevent food loss in local markets.
County Chief Officer of Medical S
ervices Irene Muchoki expressed that the bill and policy aim to provide City residents with safe, nutritious, and quality food. She acknowledged challenges with unregulated street food vendors and outlined plans to address these issues and ensure food safety.
Muchoki also advised against cultivating crops along the banks of the Nairobi River. Meanwhile, Clerk of Nairobi County Assembly Edward Gichana underscored the need for awareness to enhance governance on health matters. The meeting also explored financing health services to ensure accessibility.
Nairobi is set to host the 1st Annual Health Scientific Conference from 20-22nd November, themed ‘Advancing Health Equity towards a Resilience and a Sustainable People-Centered Primary Healthcare System.’