On Tuesday, 9th March, KCIC CEO Dr. Mungai participated in policy conversations on Zero Hunger alongside Denmark’s Minister for Food & Agriculture, Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Country Directors of World Food Program (WFP) and representatives from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAF). The panel discussion was held at the SDGs Village at the ongoing People Dialogue Festival at Museums of Kenya. One of the critical areas Dr. Mungai highlighted was the place of women and youth agribusiness innovations in ending hunger.
“Most of the time, young people and women come with brilliant ideas, but innovation is always ahead of time. So they will never put them in the market unless the government is listening,” he noted.
He continued to say that the work of the government is to listen and observe after that provide an enabling policy environment that will spur business growth in the sector.
“Most young people shy away from agriculture. It is, however, our responsibility to show them that agriculture can be cool. How? Harnessing technology, innovation and backing it up with the money, information and technical systems,” Dr. Mungai elaborated.
Sharing the work that KCIC is doing, Dr. Mungai is confident that the AgriBiz programme is at the frontline of achieving a secure food nation.
The AgriBiz programme is an agribusiness empowerment programme for youth and women in agribusiness in Kenya. It is targeting to support 2,400 individuals and groups and to create 20,000 jobs. It is funded by the European Union and Danida with KShs 5.1 billion. It is being implemented by KCIC in collaboration with eight county governments.
“In two and a half years, the program has received over 30,000 applications. A clear indication that youth are eager to move into the sector. We just need to provide them with the necessary support,” Dr. Mungai explained.
The dialogue was witnessed by the Danish Ambassador, Ole Thonke, Chief Administration Secretary of the Treasury, Nairobi Women Rep, Esther Passaris, Bondo MP, Hon. Ogolla Gideon Ochanda among other dignitaries as well as members of the public.
The People Dialogue Festival (PDF) is an annual programme intended to create a platform that links people with crucial leaders. They directly interact with them, express their expectations, and raise questions concerning how the country is governed.
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KCIC underscores the objective of the Festival and continues to support women and youth in agribusiness to further cement stability and climate adaptation in the country. Several AgriBiz clients are also exhibiting at the event, which continues through to Friday, with many more events lined up.
If development in Kenya is to be sustainable and truly respond to people’s needs, the people themselves must play a key role. Therefore, it is crucial that citizens of Kenya are involved in the process, have access to information and know that their voices are heard.
