Mudavadi: Partnerships key in strengthening food systems, resilience

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said that partnerships are key in supporting significant strides to help strengthen food systems and resilience in the country.

Speaking in Mombasa when he presided over the government’s and World Food Program’s coordination workshop, Mudavadi said the ever-growing partnership between the two institutions has helped in structuring significant strides.

He lauded the partnership between the government and the World Food Programme initiative.

“I have witnessed WFP ‘s work in Kenya grow. I see the working relationship as an excellent example of how Open-Government should work,” Mudavadi said.

"Open-Government requires consultation and participation in decision-making by the private sector players and the public at large.” 

The Prime Cabinet Secretary insisted that the private and public sectors are not enemies but partners, noting that the aspect of open-Government in co-creating can achieve the best possible outcomes for Kenya in the areas of food security and nutrition.

Last year alone, WFP directly impacted the lives of 1.6 million Kenyans through its diverse programs.

Among the groups that have benefitted from WFP work include refugees, drought-affected citizens, smallholder farmers and people participating in resilience programs.

The support came at a time when Kenya experienced the worst drought ever in 40 years, Mudavadi said.

Mudavadi further noted that the recent approval of Kenya’s strategic plan 2023-2024 by WFP’s Kenya chapter executive board will aid the implementation of USD1.4 billion investment in the country.

He said the partnership has come at a time when Kenya is undergoing a serious economic disorder.

“Partnerships of this nature are extremely important moving forward. When you look at the statistics and go through the numbers without being carried away with the simplicity of matters, the multiplier effect in the Kenyan economy will be massive,” Mudavadi said.

“By focusing on resilience, we are not just reacting to crises; we are preventing them, and, in the process, fostering a more robust and resilient economy.”

Mudavadi added that climate change is an integral obstacle towards strengthening the nation’s resilience.

He said the climate crisis is an urgent issue that requires concerted efforts from all sectors, including humanitarian organizations.

“I call for a global multi-stakeholder approach in tackling the climate crisis. Let us bridge the gap between humanitarian assistance, development support and climate spaces. We must change current systems to cope with the impacts of a rapidly changing climate,” he said.

Mudavadi also said that the school feeding programme support will go a long way in empowering many affected communities in the country.

He said partnerships being moulded between the government and various partners will help position Kenya into a transformative, logistical hub in the region as well as enhance, job creation, technology transfer, among other key economic drivers.