Nairobi County Collaborates with Mazingira Institute to Review and Formulate Urban Agriculture and Food Security Bills

Machakos, 27th June 2024

Nairobi City County Green Nairobi's Sub Sector of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources in collaboration with Mazingira Institute (Women Spaces project) and the County Legal team concluded a 3 day workshop aimed at reviewing the Nairobi City County Urban Agriculture Promotion and Regulation Bill 2014 as well as formulating Nairobi City County Urban Agriculture and Food Security Bill 2024 in order to address emerging issues in the Agriculture Sector.
"We want an Act that will ensure we not only achieve food security, but also food safety. Food safety starts from the farm to the spoon and not from the market. Stated, Ms. Gladwell Cheruiyot, County Chief Officer Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The review process also looked into Gender sensitivity and inclusivity issues which needed to be included in the revised Food and Agriculture legal framework.

The County Director Food Systems and Sector Programs Ms. Rose Randall explained that the Bill in review did not consider gender and vulnerable groups and inclusivity hence the need to leave no one behind in the endeavor to promoting equity and social inclusion in the urban Agriculture activities.

Ms. Randall said that the Food Sub Sector is also looking into incorporating Nairobi City County Food Systems Strategy (2022-2027) into the draft bill. The Food Systems Strategy whose goal is to ensure accessible, affordable, safe and nutritious food for all Nairobi residents is currently in the implementation process.

Also to be incorporated in the Urban Agriculture draft Bill, is the Food and Feed safety issues. The team looked at the Food and Feed Safety Control and Coordination Bill 2023 by the Senate, which stipulates functions of the County Governments in relation to food safety in respective Counties.
The Sub Sector technical team led by the Legal representatives; Mr. Evans Mogire and Mr. Michael Omondi from the County Attorney's Office, reviewed the Food and Feed Safety Coordination Control Bill 2023 pending at the Senate and the Nairobi City County Urban Agriculture Promotion and Regulation Bill 2014.

Mr. Mogire said that the review was necessary in the formulation of the Nairobi City County Urban Agriculture and Food Security bill.

The legal team also took the Sector heads through an exhaustive policy formulation process which was key in understanding the Policy and legislative formulation process beforehand.

Ms. Jane Gichure, County Deputy Director for Gender and Inclusivity enlightened participants on the Gender and Inclusivity issues through a presentation of Nairobi County Gender Mainstreaming policy.

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