Traditional food markets are central to Kenya’s food systems, providing fresh and affordable food to consumers as well as jobs, income, and livelihoods to farmers and traders. However, despite Kenya’s strong food policy environment, governance of traditional food markets is often weakly integrated and under-prioritised. This prevents unlocking the markets’ full potential for food security, nutrition, and inclusive growth. This briefing paper examines governance in three traditional food markets in Bungoma and Busia County, Western Kenya, using a mixed-methods approach combining key informant interviews, vendor surveys, direct market observations, participatory workshops, and a review of relevant policy and governance documents to assess how governance arrangements shape market performance.
From 30 June to 2 July 2026, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutri9on (GAIN) Kenya will join policymakers, investors, development partners, financial ins9tu9ons, researchers, private sector leaders, and civil society at the Financing Agri-Food Systems Sustainably (FINAS) 2026 Summit at the KenyaCa Interna9onal Conven9on Centre (KICC), Nairobi.
What if the food on your plate could be guided by science, culture, sustainability, and affordability — all at once?
That is precisely what Kenya is building. From 12–15 May 2026, a multi-disciplinary team of nutrition scientists, policy experts, academics, and development partners gathered at Oleken Hotel, Nakuru, for the most technically intensive session yet in the development of Kenya's first-ever Food Systems-Based Dietary Guidelines (FSBDGs). FOLU Kenya, operating through GAIN Kenya, is proud to be a convening and coordinating partner in this transformative process.
This report summarizes the key findings from the Kenya policy landscaping analysis and stakeholder mapping analysis and provides recommendations for better policy integration in Kenya in support of the Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN).
Climate change and malnutrition are deeply intertwined challenges in Kenya, where climate related
shocks continue to threaten food systems, health services, and vulnerable populations. This policy brief summarizes f indings f rom a rapid assessment of 27 national policies and key stakeholder interviews, conducted to support the I-CAN initiative. The analysis reveals uneven climate–nutrition integration across sectors, with strong implementation f rameworks in some policies but persistent gaps in coordination, data systems, and f inancing. Overreliance on donor funding, limited engagement of diverse stakeholders, and underutilized governance structures further hinder progress. At the same time, there are clear opportunities to strengthen policy
alignment, institutional reform, cross-sector collaboration, and stakeholder inclusion to build a more resilient and nutrition-secure Kenya.
GAIN marks African Day of School Feeding and International School Meals Day, using these moments to highlight how school meals can improve nutrition, learning outcomes, and local food systems when designed with quality, equity, and sustainability in mind.
Stunting is a major concern in Eastern Africa, where nearly 1 in 3 children under 5, about 22.6 million, are
affected (UNICEF, WHO, Worldbank, 2023). In Kenya, the prevalence has declined to approximately one in
five children (18%), outperforming the regional average of 31.6%. However, this still represents more than
1.2 million children at risk (KNBS, Ministry of Health, ICF, 2023). The consequences are far-reaching;
stunting contributes to child mortality, vulnerability, and lifelong impairments in physical growth and
cognitive development, impacting both individual well-being and national productivity. In Kenya, child
undernutrition, including stunting as a key component, is estimated to cost the economy KES 374 billion
(approximately USD 4.2 billion) annually, equivalent to 6.9% of the GDP (Government of Kenya, 2019).
Stunting, a persistent form of long-term nutritional deprivation, acts as a silent driver of inequality, limiting
opportunities, lowering future earnings and reducing the potential to contribute equally to the economy.
Yet the returns on investment in nutrition are high, with every dollar yielding up to $22 in economic
benefit. (Eberwein, et al., 2016)
Senior editors and nutrition media champions met in Nairobi on Friday for a Media Roundtable on Nutrition Education and Advocacy, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Health and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Kenya.
Mary Wamuyu Gathemia, a 41-year-old mother of two, runs a vibrant vegetable stall in Muthumi Village, Muguga Ward, Kabete Sub-County, Kiambu County. For years, Mary operated a small general shop selling household items and a few groceries. However, her shop struggled to break even, and she was on the verge of closing it to focus on being a housewife.
GAIN Kenya is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UNICEF Kenya to strengthen efforts to improve access to nutritious, safe, and sustainable foods for the most vulnerable. This strategic partnership underscores a shared commitment to addressing malnutrition and shaping healthier food environments for children, adolescents, and families in Kenya. The MOU was officially signed on 24th June 2025.
