Back to Stories SBN Case Study: Strategic Partnership Building food security: Partnering to mobilise businesses in Kenya Download Pdf A decade of rapid economic growth has seen Kenya achieve lower-middle-income status, but the increased wealth has not benefitted all Kenyans equally. Social and economic inequalities mean that one-third of Kenyans live below the poverty line, and over a quarter of children in some areas are affected by stunting. Agriculture remains the main economic driver, although 80% of the land is either arid or semi-arid. The most significant challenges to achieving food and nutrition security are rapid population growth, climate change, and underperforming food systems, and COVID-19 exacerbated these issues. In 2021, around 2.1 million people faced extreme food insecurity, particularly in arid areas. Two years of drought, two waves of locusts, conflict over diminishing resources, livestock diseases, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, led to increased food prices in urban areas, and acute food shortages in rural areas. Founded in 2014, SBN Kenya’s aim is to empower the private sector to contribute to the reduction of malnutrition by supplying safe and nutritious foods to consumers, especially the most vulnerable. It now has over 120 business members, and seeks to mobilise businesses to align with the government’s ‘Big 4 Agenda’ goal of achieving 100% food and nutrition security by 2022. Partnering for nutrition SBN Kenya’s strategy (2019-2023) was developed through extensive multi-stakeholder consultations with businesses, including women-owned enterprises, and other SUN networks in the country. With five strategic pillars, the network aims to create partnerships that will support business operations and develop an enabling business environment: ■ Enhance financial capacity of SME’s to attract financial investors, civil society organisations, government, donors, and prizes/grants (such as the SUN Pitch Competition). ■ Provide technical assistance so that businesses can upskill and grow in product development, production, food quality and safety, business planning, innovation and technology. ■ Educate businesses on the importance of workplace nutrition to improve the nutritional outcomes of workers in the formal and informal sector. ■ Create a conducive business environment and enhance compliance with existing laws and regulations for micro, and SMEs, and help create awareness around existing and/ or future nutrition-related policies through sensitisation forums. ■ Assist in driving forward access to markets and increase demand for nutritious foods. To support SBN Kenya’s ambitious strategy, an innovative governance structure has been put in place. Guided by the SUN Focal Point, based in the Ministry of Health, SBN Kenya is co- convened by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, and the United Nations World Food Programme. It is also supported by an independent multi-stakeholder secretariat, which brings together the public and private sectors with representatives from business member organisations, the government, and United Nations organisations.
