In December 2020, FAEA took a significant step in supporting Kenya’s food and feed safety regulatory overhaul by sponsoring and facilitating a five-day meeting in Naivasha, Kenya. The meeting marked the official restart of Kenya’s food safety legislation process, bringing together key stakeholders across multiple ministries, technical experts and international advisors. This initiative was a vital part of Kenya’s journey to develop a comprehensive Food Safety Law that aligns with global best practices while addressing the unique challenges within the country.

FAEA’s involvement began in mid-September 2020 with the recruitment of a local coordinator and the reactivation of a technical working group—now a task force—composed of representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Health, and Trade, as well as agencies like the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, the Kenya Dairy Board and the Kenya Law Reform Commission. The task force has a broad mandate to review, refine and guide the development of Kenya’s food and feeds safety policy and legislation.

The Naivasha meeting served as a critical first step, focusing on establishing a clear roadmap for drafting the food safety bill. Discussions were centered on reviewing a draft policy document that had been initially developed in 2019, incorporating new regulatory concerns and aligning with current governance structures under Kenya’s 2010 constitution. A key highlight was the strong support demonstrated by the highest levels of government, with six Principal Secretaries attending from key ministries. Their participation underscored the importance of unity in purpose and a commitment to establishing a well-coordinated and robust food and feed safety system.

The meeting’s outcomes were substantial. Consensus was reached on several crucial aspects of the draft food and feed safety policy, leading to significant improvements in its content. The revised policy will serve as the foundation for drafting the food and feed safety bill. However, the discussions also revealed critical areas that still require attention, particularly the complex coordination mechanisms needed to integrate the mandates of various agencies effectively. The task force agreed to continue these deliberations in future meetings.

The Naivasha retreat also underscored the importance of engaging external experts to provide insights from global food safety systems. Presentations by experts from the U.S. Trade Representative Office (USTR) and TradeMark East Africa enriched the discussions, with their experiences helping to shape decision-making processes. This collaborative approach, combining local expertise with international insights, is expected to be a hallmark of the legislative process moving forward.

Looking ahead, the task force plans to ramp up its efforts by focusing on finalizing the coordination framework, refining the draft bill based on the updated policy and engaging parliamentary committees to align legislative efforts. As Kenya moves closer to enacting a new Food Safety Law, FAEA’s role in facilitating these discussions is crucial in ensuring the final legislation is scientifically sound, internationally compliant and tailored to the needs of the Kenyan food and feed sectors.

FAEA remains committed to supporting this critical process, recognizing that a well-structured food safety system is not only essential for public health but also key to unlocking trade opportunities and enhancing Kenya’s competitiveness in global markets.