Ask any parent what a hot school lunch means for their child and you won’t hear policy lingo or development frameworks. You will hear words like hope, health and a chance to learn. Yet behind that simple life-changing meal is an entire food system at work—from the farmer who grew the food to the trader who supplied it to the cooks who prepared it to the driver that delivered it. That is why transforming our food systems matters. When food systems work well, health, education and everything else work better too. Food systems are not just about what we grow or eat. They are the interconnected web of how food is produced, stored, processed, distributed, accessed and consumed. Food systems are not just about what we grow or eat. They are the interconnected web of how food is produced, stored, processed, distributed, accessed and consumed. They touch nearly every part of life - essentially all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). And when one part of the system breaks down, the ripple effects are wide. A drought affects crops which impacts prices and affects what families can afford, which in turn influences children’s nutrition, concentration in class and ultimately their future. Kenya has been a leader in recognising that food systems transformation is not a theoretical agenda—it is a practical necessity. Kenya’s national home-grown school feeding programme not only keeps over 1.5 million children (including children with disabilities) in school.  It gives market opportunities to local farmers.  It incentivizes the introduction of drought-resistant crop varieties and procurement systems that favour women and youth-led supply chains. The programme works with county governments on aggregating food from a variety of smallholder farmers for distribution to schools and with the private sector on providing cold storage, transportation, traceability and financing solutions. This systems-thinking is what gives children like ten-year-old Kamila Madey in Mandera County, who might otherwise have dropped out during Kenya’s prolonged drought, a real chance to stay in school and thrive. School do not only protect the vulnerable from climate shocks—they also offer a powerful lever to shape broader systems. Kitchens that feed millions daily are becoming testing grounds for cleaner cooking technologies such as the high-capacity steam cookers used in Nairobi’s Dishi na County, a programme where the county has partnered with Food for Education, an amazing social enterprise fast transforming school feeding in Africa.  As these programmes scale up toward universal coverage in Kenya by 2030, they present an opportunity to reshape how food is sourced, cooked and consumed. Shifting to locally grown drought-tolerant crops like sorghum and millet nourishes children, strengthens local economies and reduces Kenya’s reliance on food imports. When schools become predictable markets for smallholder produce, they trigger demand for sustainable and climate-friendly agricultural practices—from regenerative farming to agroforestry. These are some of the ways in which school meals—often seen as a social safety net—are becoming a fulcrum of food systems transformation. They are creating jobs, advancing food sovereignty and helping tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The conclusion to be drawn from such efforts is that no single ministry, agency or organisation can transform food systems alone. It requires coordination across sectors and strong national leadership. United Nations Kenya is proud to support this journey—through joint programmes anchored on evidence generation, technical support and convening spaces that bring government, civil society, private sector and development partners together. Later this year, the UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+4) offers a critical opportunity for Kenya and its neighbours to take stock of what has worked, what needs to be scaled up and where deeper investment is needed. And on Monday, Kenya proudly hosts the Africa Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Stocktaking. This is the moment to shift from intent to impact. Because the truth is simple: when we transform food systems we fix much more than hunger. We improve education, health, gender equality, rural incomes and climate resilience. Food systems transformation is a foundation. And it begins with how we think, plan and act across the entire food journey—from soil to plate and from policy to people.  Commentary by Dr Stephen Jackson, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya, ahead of the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4) Africa Regional Preparatory Meeting hosted in Nairobi. , filtered_html

The year 2024 has, in many ways, been a defining one for Kenya – a year of high ambition, continued development progress and strong regional and global leadership amidst complex crises. The United Nations in Kenya is proud to have stood shoulder to shoulder with the Government and people of Kenya through the year’s challenges and triumphs, delivering impactful and inclusive results, particularly for those most at risk of being left behind.This Annual Report captures what we, as the UN family in Kenya, have achieved together – from scaling up digital cash-based support to vulnerable households, to pioneering innovative models such as the Development Impact Bond that has empowered adolescent girls with access to critical health services. It also reflects the serious tests faced – from climate emergencies to calls for deeper youth inclusion – and how together, we responded.In 2024, we marked 60 years of Kenya’s membership in the United Nations – a proud milestone in the country’s enduring diplomatic journey, rooted in the values of peace, justice, and multilateral cooperation. Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in our commitment to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals through strengthened partnerships and innovative financing. As we look ahead to 2025 and the 80th anniversary of the United Nations' founding, we do so with renewed determination to support Kenya’s bold aspirations and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. “As we move into 2025, we carry lessons with us for a very rapidly changing world. For UN Kenya, to continue accelerating Kenya’s drive for the SDGs, we have to speed up our own shift from aid funding to sustainable financing of development.”
— Dr Stephen Jackson, UN Resident Coordinator, KenyaExplore the full report to see how UN Kenya is building a more equitable, sustainable future—together., filtered_html

The United Nations, through its SDG partnership Platform in Kenya in partnership with private and philanthropic organisations, is supporting a Swiss initiative aimed at revolutionising rice production in Africa through the issuance of a Green Bond. The proposed financial instrument is designed to enhance sustainability, mitigate climate change effects, and increase market efficiency in the rice value chain.Rice, a staple food in sub-Saharan Africa, is experiencing an annual demand growth of over 6% due to population expansion and changing consumer preferences. However, local production meets only 60% of this demand, with the deficit filled by imports costing more than $6 billion annually. The sector faces numerous challenges, including inefficient financing, outdated farming practices, and significant environmental concerns such as methane emissions from flooded rice fields and excessive chemical use. The Green Rice Bond, designed by iGravity and Helvetas, with financial support from the SDG Impact Finance Initiative, seeks to bridge these gaps by providing structured debt financing and technical assistance. The bond’s proceeds will be channeled to financial institutions active in lending to businesses in the rice value chain as well as directly to intermediaries (such as rice millers), which will support smallholder farmers and cooperatives to transition to climate-smart agricultural practices. “This is an opportunity to move from reliance on grants to sustainable financing mechanisms,” said Arif Neky, Senior Advisor for UN Strategic Partnerships at the Resident Coordinator’s Office and the Founding Coordinator of the SDG Partnership Platform in Kenya. “We need to shift from boutique grant funded projects that fizzle out once the grant funding stops, to scalable, long-term sustainable investments,” he added. “This is an opportunity to move from reliance on grants to sustainable financing mechanisms,” 
Arif Neky, Senior Advisor The bond aims to empower smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of rice production in Africa. By improving access to financing, it seeks to enable the adoption of more sustainable practices such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD), small-scale mechanisation, and better water management. The bond also promotes gender inclusiveness by prioritising women farmers, who represent a significant portion of the agricultural workforce.
“We see huge potential for improving rice production in Africa and ensuring food security while reducing its environmental footprint,” said Andreas Müller of Helvetas. “Through targeted financing and technical assistance, we can address inefficiencies in the value chain and promote sustainable practices”. The Green Rice Bond will be issued in tranches, with a planned, initial issuance of $10 million, and the ambition to scale to $50 million over the next 5 to 7 years. It will be structured as a blended finance model, attracting both concessional investors and private capital, while incorporating risk-sharing mechanisms to encourage financial institutions to participate. The technical assistance facility will provide tailored support to ensure effective utilisation of funds and knowledge transfer across stakeholders.
“The first issuance will serve as a proof of concept,” noted Morgane Loisel from iGravity. “If successful, it can be replicated across other agricultural value chains, strengthening food security and economic resilience across Africa”.The initiative aligns with global climate goals by promoting sustainable rice farming techniques that reduce methane emissions and support soil health. The approach also integrates circular economy principles, including the utilisation of by-products such as rice husks for biochar production.  
With support from various stakeholders such as private investors, and development partners, the Green Rice Bond presents a pathway to a more resilient and self-sufficient rice sector, ensuring long-term benefits for farmers, consumers, and the environment.
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Kenya continues to make significant strides in healthcare, education, gender equality and climate action, according to the recently concluded 2024 Voluntary National Review (VNR) report on progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supported by the United Nations Kenya. As one of the 36 countries that participated in the 2024 VNR process at the UN’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York in July, Kenya’s progress in these critical areas has been significant, even as the country—and the world—faces daunting challenges.The 2024 VNR report highlights Kenya’s achievements. But it also powerfully reminds us that the journey towards sustainable development is far from over. The HLPF reinforced this point at the global level in its ministerial declaration, acknowledging that persistent global crises continue to derail the world’s progress towards the SDGs and emphasising the urgency of addressing these challenges head-on.Healthcare Advancing: Moving the Needle on SDG 3Kenya’s healthcare sector has seen significant improvements, particularly in reducing maternal and child mortality rates—a critical focus under SDG 3 on “Good Health and Well-being”. The VNR report highlights that maternal mortality has decreased significantly, thanks in part to improved access to antenatal care, skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric services. Child mortality rates have also declined, supported by expanded immunisation programmes, improved nutrition and increased access to clean water and sanitation.Kenya’s Government's focus on primary healthcare has been critical in these achievements. The recruitment and deployment of community health promoters have brought essential health services closer to people, especially in rural and marginalised areas. These health workers play a crucial role in preventive care, health education and the early detection and management of diseases, contributing significantly to the overall improvements in public health.Principal Secretary of the State Department for Economic Planning, James Muhati, remarked, "The strides we have made in healthcare reflect our commitment to improving the quality of life for all Kenyans. However, as the report shows, continued investment in our health systems is essential to ensure that every Kenyan has access to the care they need. This is not just a health issue but a cornerstone of our development agenda."
The report also cautions that to fully achieve the targets set under SDG 3, there needs to be continued investment in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in underserved regions, and more efforts to address emerging health threats, such as non-communicable diseases and the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quality Education: Sustaining MomentumKenya’s education sector has improved tremendously over the years due to ambitious reforms to professional teacher development, a competency-based curriculum (CBC) and management practices at the local level. Public spending on education has increased in absolute terms and as a percentage of overall spending, that at 16% although it is still below the global aspirations of the “Incheon Declaration”, which benchmarks 20% as the minimum needed. Impressive achievements had been made in primary education that approached universal levels by 2021, but were then negatively impacted by the COVID pandemic, slipping back to just over three-quarters by 2022. Kenya also still suffers from considerable regional disparities across all education outcomes. For example, most of the 47 counties exceed 12 expected years of school – but very low outcomes are concentrated in a few counties in the ASAL counties with expected years of school as low as 6.5 years. Amongst components of a response, Kenya’s VNR underlines the pivotal importance of school feeding programmes in the ASAL counties to increase years of schooling and support the government’s effort towards the attainment of Universal Primary Education and Education for All.Gender Equality: Building on ProgressUnder SDG 5 on gender equality, Kenya has made significant strides, particularly in reducing gender-based violence and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM). Legislative reforms and community engagement have played a crucial role in these successes. The VNR report notes that laws such as the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, combined with advocacy and education efforts, have led to a reduction in these practices.Additionally, though slower than desirable (or constitutionally mandated) Kenya has seen a gradual increase in the representation of women in leadership positions across government, business and civil society. Policies aimed at promoting gender equality and ensuring women’s participation in decision-making processes have been central to this progress. Initiatives like gender-responsive budgeting and the establishment of gender desks in police stations to handle cases of gender-based violence have further supported these efforts.However, the report also notes that gender disparities persist, particularly in rural areas where traditional norms and economic barriers continue to limit women's access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities. Addressing these challenges will require sustained efforts to change societal attitudes, improve access to resources and strengthen the enforcement of gender-related laws and policies.Climate Action: Leading the Way on Renewable EnergyKenya’s approach to climate action (SDG 13) is marked by a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy. The VNR report outlines Kenya’s efforts in this area, noting that renewable energy now makes up a significant portion of the country’s energy mix.
UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, Dr. Stephen Jackson, praised these efforts, noting, "Kenya’s progress in areas like renewable energy, where up to 93% of the country's electricity is generated from renewable sources, is both impressive and innovative. This achievement is not just a significant step forward for Kenya but also sets an impressive example for global efforts to tackle the global climate emergency.” By harnessing clean energy, Kenya is reducing its carbon footprint and building resilience against climate change, all while providing sustainable energy solutions that can drive economic growth and development. “To sustain and accelerate these positive trends, continued and increased support—both from within Kenya and from the global community—is essential,” states Dr. Jackson, adding, “This is a crucial moment where intensified efforts can help bridge the gap between current achievements and the ambitious goals set for 2030.”The HLPF ministerial declaration echoed these concerns, recognising that "climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time" and calling for accelerated action. "The international community must urgently summon the commitment and investments needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the 2030 deadline," stated UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in addressing climate change.
Strengthening Partnerships: Collaboration for Sustainable Development
Kenya’s progress on SDG 17, which is anchored on partnerships, highlights the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable development. The VNR report credits the success of Kenya’s SDG initiatives to the strong multi-stakeholder partnerships involving government agencies, civil society, the private sector and international organizations."Kenya is committed to strengthening the SDGs’ institutional frameworks at the national and sub-national level, while mobilizing the requisite partnerships and resources to support and accelerate the implementation of the SDGs," noted Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u, Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning. This underscores the need for continued international support and cooperation to overcome these challenges and sustain progress.
The HLPF’s ministerial declaration further emphasised the role of partnerships, calling for "a renewed impetus and accelerated actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals" and recognising that international cooperation and multilateralism are key to overcoming global challenges. Local Engagement: Counties Leading the WayKenya is also a flagship for local monitoring of progress towards Agenda 2030 and the SDGs.  The 2024 Voluntary National Review (VNR) process saw the active participation of 17 out of the country's 47 counties. These counties took a significant step by preparing their respective Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), which are detailed reports assessing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level. The counties that participated in this process include Kakamega, Vihiga, Elgeyo Marakwet, Bungoma, Kajiado, Narok, Taita Taveta, Homa Bay, West Pokot, Mombasa, Nyeri, Embu, Makueni, Baringo, Kilifi, Busia and Wajir.These Voluntary Local Reviews demonstrate the county governments’ commitment to aligning with national and global SDG efforts. By participating in this review process, these counties not only contributed valuable localised data and insights but also highlighted the unique challenges and successes they face in the implementation of the SDGs. This effort is an important part of Kenya’s broader strategy to ensure that sustainable development is pursued in an inclusive and comprehensive manner, reaching every part of the country. Through these reviews, the counties have provided a clearer picture of their progress, which will help in shaping future policies and interventions to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs across Kenya.A Balanced Perspective: Achievements and ChallengesWhile Kenya’s progress on several SDGs is commendable, the VNR report and the HLPF ministerial declaration both remind us that significant challenges remain. The call to "intensify our efforts" is not just about accelerating progress, but also about addressing the persistent gaps that threaten to undermine the gains made so far.
While there have been notable successes, the journey ahead requires addressing persistent challenges with the same determination and commitment. CS Njuguna aptly remarks, “The findings and recommendations outlined in this report demonstrate the need to intensify our efforts as Kenya continues to chart its course towards a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future.”As the world moves towards the 2030 deadline, Kenya’s experience highlights the need for collective action—both within the country and globally—to ensure that progress is inclusive and enduring. The path forward will demand continuous innovation, resilience, and cooperation to achieve a more sustainable and equitable future for all. , filtered_html