Kenya Gears Up for National Food Systems Summit with Emphasis on Ground-Level Realities
The Principal Secretary for Agriculture, Dr. Paul Ronoh, has emphasized the need for a grounded, people-centered approach to food systems transformation, urging stakeholders and the media to focus on real stories from farmers and communities across the country.
Speaking during a pre-summit media engagement in Nairobi, Dr. Ronoh underlined the importance of food and nutritional security as a national priority, describing it as a matter of public health, economic stability, and national security.
“Food is foundational. If we don’t eat, we can’t work, learn, or even follow the law. Food insecurity is not just a social issue it is a threat to national peace and order,” Dr. Ronoh said.
He noted that the agriculture sector contributes 21 percent to Kenya’s GDP and employs over 40 percent of the population, highlighting its critical role in the country’s economic transformation.
Dr. Ronoh called on media houses to help shape public discourse by focusing on truthful storytelling from the ground, rather than sanitized presentations.
“Real stories those of farmers, their challenges, and successes must be brought to light. Let us go beyond PowerPoints and studios and listen to voices in the fields. That is how we inspire real change,” he said.
Dr. Ronoh also challenged scientists to step out of laboratories and communicate their findings directly to the public to drive practical solutions to food-related challenges.
The upcoming National Food Systems Stocktaking Summit, which will feed into regional and international conferences including a UN pre-conference in Addis Ababa this July, is part of Kenya’s commitment to tracking progress on sustainable food systems, first outlined in the 2021 Strategic Framework.
The PS lauded the media for playing a key role in increasing public awareness on food security, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when healthy eating habits contributed to lower incidences of disease.
He stressed that proactive communication and collaboration are essential in reducing the burden of food-related illnesses and ensuring long-term national resilience.The summit is scheduled to take place in Nairobi from April 15–16, 2025. The ministry aims to use these platforms to present an accurate and compelling narrative of Kenya’s food systems journey.
By Sharon Atieno
