Years of Collaboration Culminate in Landmark Food Safety Legislation in Kenya

Nearly six years after the Food & Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA) began supporting Kenya's efforts to strengthen its food safety system, the country has reached a major milestone with the enactment of the Food and Feed Safety Control Coordination Act following Presidential assent.

The new legislation establishes the legal framework for more coordinated food and feed safety oversight across Kenya and represents an important step toward modernizing the country's food safety framework through stronger regulatory coordination, clearer institutional responsibilities,and alignment with internationally recognized food safety principles.

The passage of the Act is the culmination of years of collaboration among the Government ofKenya, regulatory agencies, academia, the private sector, and development partners workingtoward a shared vision of a stronger national food safety system.

Building on Years of Partnership

Since 2019, FAEA, through support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), haspartnered with the Government of Kenya and local stakeholders to support long-term food safety reform.

Over the course of the program, FAEA has helped convene government and private sector stakeholders, facilitate technical dialogue, strengthen regulatory coordination, and support institutional collaboration necessary to advance Kenya's food safety modernization efforts.

Throughout the legislative process, FAEA worked alongside Kenyan partners to encourage collaboration among the ministries and agencies responsible for food and feed safety oversight while supporting discussions surrounding the development of the Food and Feed Safety Control Coordination Act.

As the reform process evolved, FAEA also supported the National Food Safety Coordination Committee (NFSCC) as an important forum for interagency coordination and stakeholder engagement. Through this process, Kenyan stakeholders agreed to advance development of a National Food Safety Database through the NFSCC, reinforcing government ownership and strengthening future coordination across regulatory institutions. The enactment of the Act represents the latest milestone in a long-term partnership that has included support for legislative development, stakeholder consultations, regulatory coordination, and ongoing collaboration to strengthen Kenya's food safety framework.

A Milestone Years in the Making

The Food and Feed Safety Control Coordination Act establishes the institutional framework necessary to improve coordination among Kenya's food safety authorities and provides a strong foundation for continued modernization of the country's food safety system.

While the success of the legislation reflects the leadership and commitment of the Government of Kenya and the many organizations involved throughout the legislative process, it also demonstrates the value of sustained investment in stakeholder engagement, institutional strengthening, and technical collaboration.

FAEA is proud to have supported Kenya's food safety reform journey and congratulates the Government of Kenya and all public and private sector partners whose dedication andcollaboration made this important achievement possible.