The plan calls for stronger collaboration among key stakeholders, science-based decision-making, and coordinated action and financing to address food safety challenges, such as aflatoxin contamination in nuts and cereals. It also seeks to boost the competitiveness of Kenyan products in regional and global markets.

During the meeting, KEBS Chairperson Chris Wamalwa outlined four priority areas of the plan:

1. Stronger institutional coordination
2. Enhanced scientific and risk assessment capacity
3. More consistent Codex participation
4. Supply chain-wide implementation and monitoring systems.

Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui urged stakeholders across the agri-food and trade system to strengthen compliance with global quality expectations and international food safety standards to widen export opportunities for Kenyan producers. He highlighted the progress made by cereal millers in voluntary food fortification, with the number of participating institutions increasing from 35 to 60 over the last three years.

On the topic of increased investment in scientific capacity, Mr. Kinyanjui also said Kenya should aim to triple or quadruple the approximately 58,000 data points already generated and use new evidence to strengthen decision-making.

The strategic plan calls for a resource mobilization target of KES 760 million ($5.8 million USD), which will require contributions from the government, private sector, and development partners, according to the Kenya News Agency, an official government media outlet.

Stakeholders were urged to consider Codex activities when developing their annual work plans and budgets and to facilitate the participation of technical experts in international collaborations.

Also highlighted at the meeting was the need to mitigate aflatoxins in nuts and cereals, a pressing food safety challenge for Kenya. The strategic plan sets forth policy recommendations like improving surveillance and monitoring; promoting research; and enhancing collaboration among government agencies, agricultural producers, processors, and other food chain actors. Stakeholders were encouraged to strengthen post-harvest food safety practices, including proper drying, handling, and storage, to minimize aflatoxin contamination.