New Bill to Strengthen Food and Feed Safety in Kenya
Kenya’s Senate is considering the Food and Feed Safety Control Coordination Bill, 2023, recently tabled by Aaron Cheruiyot, the Senate Majority Leader. The proposed legislation seeks to establish a legal framework that harmonises the functions of national and county governments in food and feed safety, including the creation of an office of a Food Safety Controller.
Championed as part of fulfilling Article 43’s socio-economic rights and consumer protection under Article 46 of the Constitution, the Bill is aimed at ensuring that every stage—from farm production to table consumption—is safely regulated.
Under the Bill’s provisions, the Food Safety Controller—appointed by the President with Parliament’s approval—would coordinate competent authorities, manage a multi-annual national control plan, and establish a central food and feed safety information system.
County governments would be tasked with licensing food and feed businesses, conducting audits and public awareness, and submitting annual reports to the Controller.
The legislation also provides for traceability mechanisms, designated reference laboratories, and compliance officers with the authority to inspect, sample and enforce food-safety measures.
Reactions from stakeholders have been broadly positive, with many viewing the Bill as overdue given current fragmented oversight of food and feed safety. A recent Senate debate hailed the Bill as a very good foundation … Legislation that is going to sustain and ensure food safety.
However, some legal analysts raise concerns about potential overlaps with existing regulatory bodies such as Kenya Bureau of Standards and whether the Bill sufficiently defines compliance officer qualifications and dispute-resolution mechanisms.
If passed, the Bill is expected to have substantial impact: enhancing consumer protection, improving Kenya’s competitiveness in food exports, and reducing the incidence of food-borne illnesses. It may also alleviate burdens on farmers and feed producers who currently navigate multiple agencies and overlapping fees.
The next steps focus on rigorous parliamentary scrutiny, potential amendments, and then the implementation phase—where resource allocation, coordination between levels of government, and operationalising the ne structures will be critical to whether the Bill delivers on its ambitious goals.