Kenya is one of the fastest-growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa. Rising incomes and increased investment in agriculture bode well for continued growth. However, ninety percent of smallholder farmers still grow maize or other low-income generating crops. Opportunities to add value to crops and access export markets only reach a fraction of the country’s smallholder farmers. Smallholder dairy producers supply 70 percent of Kenya’s domestic milk production, but lack productive dairy cows, nutritious animal feed and sufficient knowledge and skills to ensure quality control and food safety.
The Feed the Future Kenya Country Plan, under the United States Government’s (USG’s) Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS), serves as an overarching framework for integrated food security and nutrition programming in Kenya. This plan describes the key drivers of food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty.
Kenya is a large and diversified economy with a population of nearly 50 million people (50.1 percent female). A leader in mobile-money with a vibrant mobile telecommunications industry, the country has a young, ambitious and well-educated workforce eager to contribute to the development of the country. The Global Gender Gap Report 2017 ranks Kenya 76 out 144 globally with significant inequalities between males and females in education attainment, health outcomes, representation in parliament and participation in the labor market. Moreover, gender-based violence is pervasive with almost half (45 percent) of women aged 15-49 having experienced either physical or sexual violence at some point in their life (Kenya Demographic Health Survey 2014).
Changes to societal attitudes and cultural beliefs around gender roles, norms and female empowerment at the community and household levels have been slow especially due to systemic gender barriers fueled by deeply held and persistent stereotypes. Limited access to land and credit constrains the full participation of women in the economy, particularly as producers and business owners. Despite the introduction of the gender equality requirements into property and inheritance laws, there is still a significant gender gap in access to land. Access to formal sources of credit is also limited, and is more pronounced for women. Unpaid care and domestic work burdens limit women’s contributions in and benefit from productive activities, constrains their mobility, and limits their access to market resources.
Kenya’s 23 counties in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) are home to over 10 million people and constitute over 70 percent of Kenya’s landmass. ASAL counties have suffered and continue to suffer from recurrent drought, human conflict, and a legacy of marginalization by government and lack of international investments.
Kenya’s 23 counties in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) are home to over 10 million people and constitute over 70 percent of Kenya’s landmass. ASAL counties have suffered and continue to suffer from recurrent drought, human conflict, and a legacy of marginalization by government and lack of international investments.
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Last updated: October 04, 2018
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