Workshop for the Development of a Roadmap for Industry Capacity Building in Food Safety in Kenya
In August 2024, the Food and Agriculture Export Alliance (FAEA), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and TradeMark Africa, co-hosted a pivotal workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. This workshop represented a key milestone in FAEA's ongoing efforts to bolster food and feed safety standards in Kenya by laying the groundwork for a comprehensive capacity-building roadmap tailored to the private sector. The roadmap is intended to guide the development of specialized training programs, with plans to pilot these initiatives at local universities and other key institutions across the country.
The workshop commenced with an address by the Honorable Dr. Paul Ronoh, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. Dr. Ronoh emphasized the critical role of collaboration between the government and the private sector in tackling food safety risks. He highlighted the Kenyan government's appreciation for the continued support from USDA and FAEA in driving the implementation of food safety initiatives, stating, "Food safety is central to public health, food security, and improved livelihoods through trade facilitation and sustainable development." He expressed optimism for the timely passage of the Food and Feed Safety Coordination Bill of 2023, which will provide a regulatory framework for strengthening Kenya's food safety system.
Building a Collaborative Framework for Food Safety
The workshop gathered a diverse group of stakeholders, including industry associations, government representatives, and food and feed industry experts. This collaborative environment enabled participants to share their experiences and collectively identify critical capacity-building needs. Through facilitated discussions and breakout sessions, the group developed actionable steps toward addressing food safety challenges.
The roadmap that emerged from the workshop focuses on four key capacity-building areas: Trade Rules and Compliance, Food Safety Inspection, Risk Management and Traceability. These areas were prioritized based on extensive input from private sector actors and alignment with the objectives of Kenya's new food safety legislation.
Day one of the workshop concentrated on the current state of food safety in Kenya, with participants engaging in interactive discussions about the causes of unsafe food and identifying knowledge gaps in food business operations (FBOs). The second day built on this foundation, as participants delved into identifying training needs and designing industry-specific curricula. The workshop concluded with a focused session on developing a strategic roadmap that lays out the training and capacity-building initiatives required to address Kenya's food safety challenges.
FAEA will now work closely with the workshop participants and other stakeholders to finalize the roadmap, ensuring it addresses the specific needs identified during the sessions. Once finalized, the roadmap will guide the rollout of targeted training programs aimed at improving the capacity of food business operators, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders in Kenya.
The training programs will focus on practical, hands-on education in food safety, post-harvest practices and regulatory compliance, ensuring that stakeholders across the value chain have the knowledge and skills to meet both domestic and international food safety standards. The programs will also be integrated into local universities, creating a sustainable model for future capacity-building efforts.
This initiative, driven by FAEA in partnership with USDA and TradeMark Africa, marks a significant step forward in elevating Kenya's food safety standards. By equipping the private sector with the tools and knowledge to address food safety risks, this program aims to foster greater compliance with food safety regulations, support public health, and enhance Kenya's competitiveness in domestic and export markets.
Next Steps: From Roadmap to Implementation
