Recent data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations reveals that Kenya is positioned as one of the top ten nations grappling with food insecurity from 2021 to 2023.
A report published on December 9 reveals that approximately 39.4 million Kenyans faced uncertainty regarding their access to adequate food during this period. This alarming situation is part of a broader global trend, with the FAO reporting over 2.3 billion individuals experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity in 2023 representing a striking 45% increase from 1.6 billion in 2015.
Nigeria leads the list with 161.4 million individuals at risk, followed by Pakistan with 105.8 million and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which reports 79.4 million people facing similar challenges. Ethiopia also stands out with 72.8 million individuals affected by food insecurity. Other notable countries include Bangladesh with 52.3 million, the Philippines at 51 million, and Brazil with 39.7 million, ranking fifth, sixth, and seventh respectively.
Furthermore, Kenya’s neighbouring countries have not escaped this crisis with Tanzania featured on the top ten list, while Uganda is also heavily impacted, with 33.6 million affected individuals. The findings of the FAO underline the devastating consequences of food insecurity, defined as an inability to access sufficient food for at least one day (severe) or a compromise in food quality or quantity due to uncertainties surrounding access (moderate).
Particularly concerning is that over 80% of the population in countries such as Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Sierra Leone reported experiences of food insecurity during the same period. The dire situation in Kenya can largely be attributed to extreme weather patterns, notably prolonged droughts and famine, which have severely hampered agricultural productivity. The country’s agricultural output has deteriorated due to three consecutive seasons of below-average rainfall, leading to diminished crop yields and exacerbating food shortages.