Lack of Political Commitment Hinders Kenya’s Food Security Goals
The absence of key legislators at a Nairobi workshop on July 28, 2025, has raised concerns over Kenya’s ability to achieve food security targets under the 2014 Malabo Declaration. The event, organized by the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), aimed to equip policymakers with tools to boost national agriculture investments and enhance regional agrifood systems. IGAD officials warned that without active political support, ambitious goals such as allocating 10 percent of national budgets to agriculture, eradicating hunger, and halving poverty remain largely unattainable.
The Malabo Declaration, adopted by African Heads of State in 2014, set out a roadmap for agricultural growth, poverty reduction, and improved livelihoods across the continent. Despite these commitments, progress has been slow, with only Rwanda showing promising results as of early 2022. Mohyeldeen Eltohami Taha Hamed, IGAD’s Director of Economic Cooperation and Regional Integration, emphasized that capacity-building initiatives alone cannot succeed without strong political backing. The workshop brought together ambassadors and policymakers to review commitments and develop strategies to accelerate implementation, highlighting the gap between policy intentions and political action.
Kenyan agriculture experts and development partners have noted that consistent political goodwill is critical for translating policy into tangible outcomes. The current lack of engagement by parliamentarians signals that political priorities may be misaligned with national food security objectives. Looking ahead, stakeholders urge lawmakers to actively participate in initiatives that strengthen agricultural investment and regional cooperation. Without such commitment, Kenya risks falling short of the 2025 targets, undermining efforts to improve food security and sustain economic growth across rural communities.