Parliamentarians Take Steps to Enhance Their Role in Transforming Africa’s Agrifood Systems
Hon. John Mutunga (right) – Chair, Agriculture Committee in Kenya, during the meeting in Mombasa.
On February 2-3, 2024, Senators and Members of Parliament came together in Mombasa, Kenya, to discuss the importance of enhancing the role of Parliamentarians in transforming Africa’s agrifood systems. Policy LINK staff, as well as members of the media, were among the 47 participants. Policy LINK was represented by Ruth Pearl Nganga, who supports the project’s buy-in in Kenya (the Kenya Policy Activity) and coordinates the African Food Systems Parliamentary Network.
Ruthpeal Ng'anga from Policy LINK guiding the discussions with the parliamentarians.
Hosted by AGRA and non-state actors, including AKADEMIYA2063, the National Parliamentary Retreat offered lawmakers a platform for learning more about the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), exchanging information with their peers, and strengthening the implementation of national food system strategies.
Among the topics discussed were the state of food and nutrition security in Kenya, actions and opportunities for transforming the country’s food systems and increasing public investment in agriculture, and the Agriculture Research and Development Fund. Attendees also discussed CAADP and the Biennial Review (BR) process in depth, including the BR framework, Kenya’s performance in the last three BR cycles, and opportunities for strengthening national data systems. They also explored ways they could use the BR results to shape legislative oversight initiatives and national budgets.
Trade was also a focus of conversation, specifically how increased agricultural trade could bolster farmers’ incomes. Legislators can enhance regional agricultural trade by introducing and supporting critical import and export bills, adjusting trade tariffs to enable traders to do business, and putting in place policies and laws that shore up commodity prices. Attendees agreed to hold regular evidence-sharing sessions to inform policy and budgeting initiatives, as well.
In addition, the Mombasa meeting revealed the agricultural priorities of Members of Parliament. Policy LINK will leverage these priorities as it supports transformative change in the agrifood systems of Kenya and other countries across the continent with the help of legislators.