The County Government of Kisumu, in collaboration with Maseno University, convened a three-day workshop at the Wigot Gardens Hotel to review the Kisumu County Food Systems Strategy (2023–2027).
The workshop brought together technical experts from various disciplines to evaluate the achievements, identify operational gaps, and address challenges encountered during the implementation of the county’s inaugural food systems framework.
This review forms part of the AgriFoSe2030-funded project titled “Strengthening Governance of Food and Extension Systems for Agricultural Resilience and Environmental Sustainability in Kenya.” The initiative specifically seeks to enhance food systems governance, improve agricultural extension services, and promote sustainable farming practices across Kisumu County and other target areas.
The project is led by Dr. Samuel Onyango Omondi, the Principal Investigator from Maseno University. Working alongside a collaborative academic research team that includes:Dr. Justin Muhoro Nyaga (University of Embu), Prof. Cecilia Moraa Onyango (University of Nairobi) and Dr. Jane Mutune (University of Nairobi)
The research team is spearheading efforts to facilitate policy engagement and promote evidence-based interventions that enhance food security, agricultural resilience, and environmental sustainability nationwide.
While officially opening the workshop, Mr. Erick Omondi Ogallo, the Chief Officer for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and the Blue Economy, emphasized the critical need for political engagement. He urged technical teams to actively involve political leaders during budgeting cycles to secure robust investments for food production and systems.
Mr. Ogallo highlighted that while the department has developed an innovative E-Voucher system to distribute farm input subsidies directly to farmers, certain operational gaps must be resolved.
“The E-Voucher system is a vital piece of infrastructure that will directly support farmers in food production,” Mr. Ogallo noted, emphasizing the county’s commitment to investing in initiatives that tangibly improve local livelihoods.
The review process aims to foster inclusivity across all county sectors. Mr. Charles Kakuku, the County Director for Livestock, stressed that managing how food moves from farms to tables requires the right personnel. He noted that involving key stakeholders from every directorate ensures the final document will be highly practical and results-oriented.
Shifting the focus to accountability, Madam Susan Adhiambo, the County Director for Fisheries and Blue Economy, pointed out that a complete food system spans everything from production to consumption. To succeed, she pointed out that, the strategy requires a rigorous Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework.
Madam Adhiambo expressed optimism that the review’s insights will allow the fisheries sector to seamlessly integrate M&E data into their annual work plans, optimizing the use of available resources.
The successful three-day review is expected to yield a comprehensive report, establishing a clear roadmap for Kisumu County to bridge existing agricultural gaps and achieve long-term food security.
