This article is written by Eshuchi Richard
Getting food to the people and keeping food production going in times of curfews, movement restrictions and lock-downs are emerging to be the biggest challenges governments across the globe have to contend with when considering or implementing any forms of mass containment as responses necessitated by the COVID 19 pandemic.
In Kenya, the consequences of the virus portends to limit availability and affordability of food not only for the 3.7 million Kenyans documented to be food insecure in times of natural crises such as droughts and floods, but the entire 47 million population. This however, is at varying degrees between high and low income earners as well as between rural and urban dwellers.
The market economy dynamics in the country may see food distribution concentrate on urban areas as traders exploit the higher purchasing power of high income earners and areas. According to Mycotoxicologist, Prof. Stella Okoth, food distribution and supply disrupted by COVID 19 movement restrictions will see fresh food including vegetables, fruits, meats and milk left to rot in certain parts of country while other parts face a lack of food. Cereals on the other hand would be susceptible to contamination in storage silos and granaries. As the crisis perpetuates, ‘stay at home ‘and ‘social distancing’ measures may compel farmers, labourers and traders in the food value chain to be restricted from farms, pasture, markets and places of work affecting food production.
The cost of food consequently rises with rural folk and consumers left at the mercies of profiteering middle men and retailers leaving low income earners and vulnerable groups more distressed.
Food distribution similarly transcends national boundaries as different food items such as maize, wheat and rice are normally imported from neighboring countries through bi lateral and multi-lateral agricultural agreements. Agricultural Scientist, Prof. George Chemingingwa confirms that border blockades will limit such supply of cheaper food alternatives that tend to fill the domestic food deficit. More so, livestock movement will be limited negatively affecting the socioeconomic livelihoods of pastoral communities living and integrating along the borders.
Fortunately, food distribution within Kenya has been declared an essential service. The Government needs to invoke powers granted by the Price Control (Essential foods) Act, 2011 and subsequent regulations adapting to current crisis. Further measures to limit number of foods purchased by consumers would also be prudent to restrain panic buying.
The East Africa Community and COMESA leaders may need to consider food distribution as an essential service across partner countries and open borders for food transportation as well and agree to reduce or waive in totality levies and taxes of essential foods normally traded until the pandemic is controlled.
Eshuchi Richard is a postgraduate student pursuing a Master degree in Research and Public Policy from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Faculty of Arts, University of Nairobi.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of the University of Nairobi.
References
Agricultural Transformation and Growth Strategy, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation, 2019 https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=3.7+million+kenyans+food+insecure
COVID 19 Press Release, Ministry of Health, 2020 http://www.health.go.ke/press-releases/
Price Control (Essential foods) Act, 2011, http://kenyalaw.org:8181/exist/kenyalex/actview.xql?actid=No.%2026%20of%202011
Protect yourself: advice for the public, World Health Organization (WHO), 2020. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
Understanding the Effects of COVID 19 pandemic on Food security in Kenya and globally, Committee on Fiscal Studies, UON, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnkw_6f113w
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