The Role of International Organizations in the Attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 2 in Kenya- a Case Study of the World Food Programme

Abstract

As Kenya is striving to maintain the momentum in its race towards achieving sustainable development by 2030, its food security situation remains precarious. If Kenya is to achieve zero hunger by 2030, it will need efforts to scale up the gains made. Currently, effects of climatic shocks, COVID-19, locust invasion and an economy that is not growing as was expected, continue to exacerbate food insecurity. While there have been gains from the long-term rains over the years, these gains are being lost because of an economy that fluctuates and has been weakened first because of the post-election violence in 2007/2008 and now even more because of covid-19. This weak economy is negatively impacting access, not just to food, but also its availability. It is estimated that by the end of this year, many Kenyans will be food insecure requiring humanitarian assistance. While a majority of Kenyans have access to food, they are still unable to meet the recommended rations. Many Kenyans have access to food that is affordable making diets less and less nutritional. Although Kenya is currently a lower-middle income economy, it still has an estimated 238,000 in the emergency phase (IPC Phase 4). Arid and Semi-Arid lands have the highest levels of food insecurity. Changing climatic patterns have led to poor performance of the short rains. Climate change is impacting negatively on already fragile food security situation. Increasing levels of food insecurity threaten to negate the gains made in Kenya’s progress towards zero hunger. While challenges continue to persist, the United Nations World Food programme works together with the government of Kenya in scaling up efforts towards building a sustainable food system that will ensure sustainability in Kenya’s food and nutrition security. Hence this study seeks to evaluate the role of WFP in attaining SDG 2 in Kenya. The study relied on both primary and secondary data.