By Bernard Gitau
Nairobi County has emerged as a leader in the food wastage index, with each resident squandering at least 8 kilograms of food monthly, as unveiled by the UNEP Food Waste Index Report 24. This translates to an average of 100 kilograms of various foods contributed annually by each Nairobian. With over 4 million residents recorded in the 2019 census, this staggering figure amounts to a colossal 32 million kilograms of food being discarded annually, with much of it ending up in various dumpsites across the county.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) 2021 data, Kenyans predominantly consume cereals, accumulating to 134 kilograms per person per year, a significant portion of which goes to waste. Ironically, despite such wastage, about 38 percent of Nairobi’s population, particularly those in informal settlements, suffer from chronic food insecurity.
Following Nairobi, Kiambu and Mombasa rank second and third respectively in food wastage, painting a grim picture of urban centers in Kenya. Meanwhile, in the northern parts of the country, where approximately 2 million Kenyans face starvation, pregnant women and children endure acute malnutrition.
While there is some relief indicated by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), with improved food security after above-average rainfall in the country last year, significant challenges persist. The report estimates a decrease in the number of people facing acute food insecurity from 2.8 million in July 2023 to 1.2 million by February 2024. However, nearly 848,000 children aged 6 to 59 months and 124,359 pregnant and breastfeeding women still require treatment for acute malnutrition.
Globally, the situation is equally dire, with households wasting over 1 billion meals a day in 2022, while 783 million people grapple with hunger and food insecurity. Andersen reiterated the gravity of the issue, emphasizing that millions continue to go hungry while food is wasted across the world.
The UNEP Food Waste Index Report 24 sheds light on the alarming scale of food waste, urging urgent action to address this crisis. Despite efforts to combat food waste, the report reveals an urban-centric issue, emphasizing the pivotal role of local governments in implementing effective waste reduction strategies.
The environmental implications are substantial, with food waste contributing an estimated 8–10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and occupying nearly 30 percent of the world’s agricultural land. Urgent interventions are required to curb this wastage, safeguarding both the environment and vulnerable populations.
As urbanization continues to rise globally, the imperative to tackle food waste grows more pressing. It’s time for concerted efforts at all levels to combat this crisis and ensure a sustainable future for all.
