KOWYN at the Right to Food Kenya Report Launch 2024

27 September 2024, Nairobi County– The Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN) is excited to have participated in the launch of the Right to Food Universal Periodic Review. The Right to Food Coalition [a lobby group] and WELF Hunger Hilfe hosted the launch. The report aimed to create and stimulate collaboration and action among stakeholders, including government, non-governmental organizations, civil society, academia, the private sector, and the media, to explore avenues for effectively implementing the right to food in Kenya.

Food and nutrition insecurity continues to be one of Kenya’s biggest problems with the latest figures indicating that 14.5 million Kenyans are chronically food insecure, while more than 4.1 million are constantly exposed to severe food insecurity and the risk of starvation, exacerbated by natural disasters such as drought. Surprisingly, more than 25% of children under the age of five (5), or 2 million children, are malnourished. When children do not consume enough calories, protein, or micronutrients to stay healthy, they are considered undernourished. Child undernutrition occurs when children do not consume enough calories, protein, or micronutrients to maintain good health. The Ogiek community is not an exception.

This people-driven initiative was covered by local and national media houses. Judy Kipkenda, KOWYN’s founder and Executive Director represented the organization and its stakeholders in the gathering.

Overall, the launch served as a platform for raising awareness and mobilizing action to uphold and protect the right to food as a means to achieving SDG 2, No Hunger. KOWYN recognizes the importance of collective action, political will, and sustained stakeholder engagement in realizing the right to food for all Kenyans. KOWYN believes that engaging in policy forums serves to empower Ogiek women and youth in their overall development. Through KOWYN’s efforts in agroecology transitions, we aim to achieve food sovereignty for the Ogiek people and other Indigenous peoples.

Would you like to watch the launch and gain insights? Click on Right to Food [Part 1]– 13:45 minutes and Right to Food [Part 2]– 1:46:40 hours on YouTube, KTN News Kenya channel.

Compiled and Written by Karen Kilwake, Communications Consultant.