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WFP is changing lives to save lives
In July 2023, WFP Kenya transitioned to the new Country Strategic Plan (CSP) for 2023-2027 which builds on past successes with particular emphasis on scaling up innovative, integrated, and risk-informed programming. This approach aims to maximize long-term and sustainable impact through the "changing lives to save lives" agenda. The CSP seeks to transition from short-term relief to resilience building, aligning humanitarian action with national and county development priorities. By strengthening systems and building capacity, WFP aims to achieve a measurable impact on the root causes of food insecurity and malnutrition in Kenya, through strategic partnerships.
2023 presented a complex food security landscape for Kenya. Prolonged drought since 2020, intensified by the El Niño phenomenon, impacted harvests, and livestock production exacerbating vulnerabilities across the country, particularly in arid and semi-arid (ASAL) counties. This compounded already challenging conditions stemming from rising food prices, further aggravated by the plummeting shilling and its inflationary consequences. As a result, 2.8 million people faced acute food insecurity, with 1.1 million pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls and children aged 6 to 59 months requiring management of acute malnutrition[1]. Simultaneously, a rise in refugee arrivals pushed the national refugee population above 700,000, further straining resources, leading to significant food ration cuts, and elevating food security needs.
WFP responded dynamically, adapting its programmes to reach communities most affected by the crisis. This included scaling up the Lisha Jamii project, reaching more than 1.2 million Kenyans with relief food assistance and nutrition treatment and prevention support. Under the refugee programme, WFP also provided 644,000 refugees and asylum seekers food assistance helping them to meet their minimum food and nutrition needs.
WFP contributed to strengthening resilience against shocks for vulnerable communities, reaching 596,000 Kenyans. More than 332,600 drought-affected smallholder farmers in ASALs received shock-responsive seasonal food safety nets to meet immediate food needs. WFP enrolled 4,200 pastoralists for livestock insurance, providing critical financial protection of USD 886,900 against animal losses as part of the Horn of Africa’s DRIVE[2] project. To enhance water access for humans, livestock, and irrigation, WFP rehabilitated/constructed 29 water infrastructures, including irrigation schemes, water pans, and boreholes across eight counties. This initiative empowered farmers, including 300 Nadhir irrigation scheme farmers, whose harvests amounted USD 20,900.
WFP reached 54,000 pastoralists in nine counties through diversified livelihoods into high-value chain production systems such as poultry and beekeeping, through training, market linkages, and startup equipment distribution. This empowered 2,000 beekeepers to sell 3 metric tons (mt) of honey worth USD 6,000. Another 4,200 farmers who aggregated produce through Farmer Producer Organizations sold 6,400 mt of farm produce worth USD 4.3 million. Other support to smallholder farmers includes support to Marsabit and Wajir Counties in developing Drought Anticipatory Action Plans, training in climate-smart agriculture, coaching and mentorship.
WFP contributed to strengthening national capacities, empowering national and county institutions to expand food security programmes and build resilience. Building on the President’s commitment to expand social protection coverage from the current 1.2 to 2.5 million vulnerable Kenyans by 2026, the government requested WFP to provide technical support in scaling up government cash transfer programmes. WFP equipped 1,048 government social protection field staff to list and register the neediest households in Kenya’s Enhanced Single Registry, the targeting tool for the scale-up. This historic expansion, the first since 2018, strengthens the government’s safety net to reach the most vulnerable. Partnering with the Government, WFP championed "Kenya Call to Action on Climate-Smart School Feeding," presented at major climate summits, to promote climate-smart home-grown school feeding. Additionally, a South-South Triangular Cooperation pilot with China in Migori and Tana River counties explored integrating nutritious Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato value chains into school feeding to boost farmer livelihoods and food system sustainability.
WFP prioritizes innovation and community-driven solutions as tools for addressing and building resilience. In Nairobi's Kibera informal settlements, WFP's H2Grow project introduced hydroponics farming, enabling 300 vulnerable households to generate income, improve food security, and promote resilience through innovation. WFP contributed to strengthening health information systems in Kenya by supporting the adoption and implementation of the MEZA platform by the National AIDS and STI Control Programme. The MEZA platform is an innovation utilizing AI to digitize patient records in remote and hard-to-reach clinics and upload data to the national system. By digitizing patient records, these clinics enable real-time data access and reporting, facilitating quicker responses to patients' needs, especially those with HIV and malnutrition.
WFP continued to create a sustainable supply chain ecosystem that benefits diverse stakeholders. The United Nations Humanitarian Air Services offered efficient and reliable air transport to 8,800 passengers and 7 mt of cargo, ensuring goods and personnel reached communities in need. Following the El Niño-driven flooding, the government requested WFP to offer logistic services to the last mile. WFP deployed one helicopter and 12 trucks and delivered 1,898 mt of food, medicines, and non-food items in 37 affected locations on behalf of humanitarian responders. By focusing on collaboration, innovation, and sustainability, WFP strives to create a resilient and efficient supply chain that empowers partners to respond and ultimately strengthen the communities we serve.
WFP appreciates the invaluable contributions from all donors, support, and collaboration with the national and county governments, cooperating partners, and all stakeholders towards the "Changing Lives to Save Lives" agenda in Kenya. The collective efforts underpin every achievement highlighted in this report while emphasizing the need for continued collaboration and long-term commitment through flexible, multi-year funding to sustain impactful programmes. In 2024, WFP will prioritize strengthening partnerships with the Government of Kenya (a key CSP partner), other government donors, and UN agencies under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. Engaging with local responders and fostering new partnerships, particularly with the vibrant Kenyan private sector, will further strengthen our collective fight against food insecurity and malnutrition. WFP recognizes the transformative power of resilience-building, innovation, and capacity-building. To unlock their full potential requires flexible, multi-year funding. We invite stakeholders to collaborate towards a food-secure Kenya, where food insecurity is no longer a barrier to lives of dignity and prosperity.