Cha Kula Podcast

In this episode of the Cha Kula Podcast, we delve into the repercussions of current food production and consumption on the environment, emphasizing the imperative shift towards agroecological practices in the face of Climate Change. Joining us in the studio are Dr. Anika Molesworth, a farmer, scientist, and advocate known for her contributions to agriculture and climate change awareness, and Sylvia Kuria, a certified organic farmer, trainer, and supporter of small-scale farmers in cultivating their organic kitchen gardens. Agrifood systems persistently grapple with susceptibility to shocks and disruptions stemming from conflict, climate variability, extreme weather events, and economic contractions. Coupled with widening inequalities, these challenges continually test the ability of agrifood systems to provide nutritious, safe, and affordable diets for everyone. The escalating factors contributing to food insecurity and malnutrition have become our 'new normal.' There is no alternative but to intensify our efforts in reshaping agrifood systems, steering them towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Find out more: www.routetofood.org / Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org Poster by: Creatives Garage Special thanks to: Creatives garage (Podcast Production; editing & recording).

Our agri-food systems are facing unprecedented challenges, exacerbated by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, civil conflicts, lack of political will, poverty, inequality, power in a few hands, loss of biodiversity and climate change. These challenges go beyond the immediate need for technological solutions; they demand a nuanced understanding of the political and economic drivers that shape our food systems. In this episode, drawing inspiration from the Political Economy and Policy Analysis (PEPA) sourcebook, produced as part of the CGIAR Research Initiative on National Policies and Strategies. We had the privilege of engaging with the lead authors; Jonathan Mockshell of CIAT & Danielle Resnick of IFPRI. Together, they shed light on the essence of political economy in the realm of food, elucidating why such an understanding is imperative in addressing the multifaceted challenges in our agri-food systems. Find out more: www.routetofood.org Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org The PEPA sourcebook can be found here: https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/132050 Poster by: Creatives Garage Special thanks to: Creatives garage(Podcast Production).

The Global Food System is broken. The food system is a complex web of activities and sectors involving the production, processing, transport, and consumption of food and is best conceptualized as an eco-agri-food-health system. In this episode, Lena Luig, Head of International Agriculture policy Division, Heinrich Boell Stiftung e. V, Berlin explores the multifaceted challenges and complexities of the global food system from corporate control, pesticide trade, and their impact on various aspects of society, with a strong emphasis on the need for change and the importance of supporting alternatives like agroecology. Find out more: www.routetofood.org Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org Don't forget to snag your free copy of our latest report on Highly Hazardous Pesticides in the Kenyan Market "Data-and-Facts_Highly-Hazardous-Pesticides-in-Kenya " from the Route to Food website (https://routetofood.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Data-and-Facts_Highly-Hazardous-Pesticides-in-Kenya.pdf) Poster by: Creatives Garage Special thanks to: Creatives garage(Podcast Production).

Join us on this episode of the Cha Kula Podcast as we delve into the critical topic of agricultural development and government policy in Kenya with Eng. Laban Kiplagat from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries and Hon. Agostino Neto, Technical Advisor to the CS of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry. Despite the constitutional right to food for every Kenyan, food insecurity remains a stark reality. In this episode, we explore the actions the government is taking to tackle food insecurity and improve farmer livelihoods in the country. The current administration, under the leadership of His Excellency President William Ruto, made commitments towards the agriculture and food sector, with the aim to transform farmers' lives and ensure food security. Through this engaging episode, we invite you to reflect, consider, and question the government's proposed actions to address food insecurity and malnutrition in Kenya. Find out more: www.routetofood.org / Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org Poster by: Creatives Garage Special thanks to: Creatives garage (Podcast Production; editing & recording).

Food is an integral part of Kenyan culture, representing a rich tapestry of traditions and heritage. In Kenya, food is not merely sustenance; it holds immense social and cultural significance. Different communities have their distinct cuisines, preparation techniques, and food-related rituals that have been passed down through generations. On this episode, we interviewed Dr. Maundu, an expert from the National Museums of Kenya, who brings a wealth of knowledge on the subject and Darius Okolla, a curator at The Elephant and a renowned writer who has extensively covered food culture. They delved into the fascinating world of Kenyan cuisine, exploring its deep roots in culture and tradition in a thought-provoking discussion on the profound impact of colonialism on culinary and dietary practices in Kenya. Find out more: www.routetofood.org / https://www.theelephant.info/editions/food/ Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org Poster by: Creatives Garage Special thanks to: Creatives garage (Podcast Production).

Get ready for a stimulating episode of the Cha Kula podcast, where we dive into the fascinating world of politics and power in Kenya's food system. Our host, Felistus Mwalia, is joined by Chief Nyamweya, the mastermind behind the graphic novel "The Blind Spot," which highlights the many ways politics influences our food system. We also have the pleasure of chatting with Bertha Odawa, a law student, literature enthusiast, and all-around awesome young woman, as well as Amol Awour, a journalist with a passion for questioning societal issues in Kenya. In this episode, we want to encourage you to reflect on our food and farming systems while considering agroecology as a potential solution. We also invite listeners and creatives to use their platforms to shake up the status quo and spark discussions on important issues. So tune in, buckle up, and let's explore the power of creative content to incite meaningful conversations that drive positive change in our society. Don't forget to snag your free copy of "The Blind Spot" from the Route to Food website (https://routetofood.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Cha-Kula-Issue-6_The-Blind-Spot.pdf) Find out more: www.routetofood.org Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org Poster by: Creatives Garage Special thanks to: Creatives garage(Podcast Production).

Global hunger is still rising and the world is still not on track to meet the 2030 zero hunger target of the UN Sustainable Development Goals – confirmed on the SOFI report. The number of people affected by hunger globally rose to as many as 828 million, an increase of about 46 million since 2020 and 150 million since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, almost 3.1 billion people could not afford a healthy diet in 2020, up 112 million from 2019, reflecting the effects of inflation in consumer food prices stemming from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures put in place to contain it. In this episode, Anna Lappé: a national best-selling author, a respected advocate for sustainability and justice along the food chain, joined us and dispelled several persistent myths regarding hunger and our food and farming systems in general. Find out more: www.routetofood.org Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org Press Play!

Food is a crucial subject all over the world. It's at the center of our lives, and food has everything to do with gender. But there is a gap between feminist and food media, which leaves out important perspectives on the intersections of food, power, gender, and politics. Feminist Food Journal, an online magazine dedicated to a feminist food future, joined us on this episode. They use food as a lens to explore culture and society by publishing stories that shift and deepen the ways that readers think, in turn providing them with powerful conceptual tools to challenge and dismantle inequalities. https://www.feministfoodjournal.com/ https://www.instagram.com/feministfoodjournal/ Watch out for their upcoming issue “EARTH” which will explore the connections between gender, food, climate change, and agriculture.

Nairobi's population is expected to grow to 5.94 million people by 2030, resulting in increased waste generation. The Dandora dumpsite (Kenya's biggest dumpsite) receives approximately half of the waste. Soil around the dumpsite contains higher concentration of various heavy metals. Contaminants from the dumpsite decreases the strength of soil and quality. Soil contamination also effect the survival of vegetation around the dumpsite. Greenhouse gas emissions from the dumpsite escape to the environment and contribute to the already worrying global warming. The dumpsite has further reduced green spaces that would have been for purpose of growing food. Despite these obstacles, Charles Lukania, Growth4Change coordinator, Michael Okoth, Chamie Organics, and Charo Otieno, Chamie Organics shared with us how they are using hydroponic techniques to ensure they are food secure if not self-sufficient as well as land restoration. Find out more: www.routetofood.org Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org Listen in!

Food and nutrition insecurity continues to be one of Kenya's biggest problems. While technological advancements, enhancement of infrastructure and education, and other factors have changed over the last 58 years of independent Kenya, food insecurity has remained a perennial problem. Most Kenyans are affected by different levels and forms of food and nutrition insecurity as the government seemingly struggles to fulfil the Human Right to Food as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 – Article 43 1(c). A coalition of organisations that advocate for food and nutrition security and realisation of the Right to Adequate Food in Kenya, put together a ‘Food Manifesto’ - https://routetofood.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/The-Food-Manifesto-Digital-version.pdf The Food Manifesto looks at the current food security issues, demystifies some of the common myths and misconceptions about food and provides nine (9) proposed interventions to address the current food security issues in the country as well as build a foundation to a sustainable, equitable food system for Kenya. Emmanuel Atamba, Program Coordinator Agroecology at the Heinrich Boell Foundation's Nairobi office, joined us in the episode and explained why it is critical that all political leaders incorporate the food agenda into their manifestos and explicitly provide their proposed solutions to the country's food and nutrition insecurity challenge.

“If the bee disappears from the surface of the Earth, man would have no more than four years left to live.”Albert Einsten Bees and humans have long had a close relationship because bees of the role they play in pollination (80% of the world’s plants are pollinated by bees) and because of the economic value of bee products has helped many small-scale farmers improve their standard of living. As we marked the #WorldBeeDay, few weeks ago we hosted Jason Runo, a beekeeper and founder of Ohkay Honey Ke who shared a lot about the importance of bees in improving livelihoods of small scale farmers and food security. Press Play! Find out more: www.routetofood.org Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org Enjoy!

The food on your plate today is more than just a combination of inert ingredients heated – it is a reflection of various structural forces at work. Dr. Njoki Ngumi of the Nest Collective, Joseph Kobuthi of The Elephant, and Professor Kimani Njogu of Twaweza Communications critically examine western misconceptions about African food systems, the effects of colonization on our food and farming systems in Kenya and beyond, and the role of the state, individual, and society in decolonising our farms, kitchens, and plates. Find out more: www.routetofood.org Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org Enjoy!

The food on your plate today is more than just a combination of inert ingredients heated – it is a reflection of various structural forces at work. Dr. Njoki Ngumi of the Nest Collective, Joseph Kobuthi of The Elephant, and Professor Kimani Njogu of Twaweza Communications critically examine western misconceptions about African food systems, the effects of colonization on our food and farming systems in Kenya and beyond, and the role of the state, individual, and society in decolonising our farms, kitchens, and plates. Find out more: www.routetofood.org Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org Enjoy!

Safe food for all Kenyans is enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution, 2010. The right to food is one of our economic and social rights, which the state is required to take steps to achieve. As per Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya, the government has the obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the realisation of the right to food for all Kenyans. However, food safety is one of the fastest rising concerns not only in Kenya but globally. With increased pressure to produce more food, there are various threats to food safety throughout the entire food system. Dr.Dennis Adison Ouma, food scientist and food science expert shares with us why we should be concerned about the food we eat and the importance of having all relevant stakeholders in the food sector joining forces in championing for safe food. Find out more: www.routetofood.org Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org

Consumers have a lot of influence on food systems through the choices they make and practically finance the food system by taking up the costs of production, and resources used through purchase of food. Consumer demands on the type and quality of food greatly influence how food is produced albeit in the form of specific markets or niche demands within the overall food market landscape. However, majority of consumers globally as well as here in Kenya continue to be left out of the most critical conversations around the food they eat, how its produced or processed, transported and accessed. Alice Kemunto, executive director, Consumer Grassroots Association shares with us the power of consumers in ensuring access to safe food. Find out more: www.routetofood.org Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org Food Safety in Kenya | Consumer perspective available here: https://routetofood.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Food-safety-in-Kenya-Digital.pdf

Episode XXVI: Impact of Aid and Development Assistance on our Food Systems by Cha Kula Podcast

Episode XXV: Regenerative agriculture | Farmers healing the soil by Cha Kula Podcast

Seeds are the very basis of our food systems. We can’t control our food systems if we don’t have control of our seeds. In this episode a seed systems specialist, Noel Templer shared with us the difference between commercialized seeds and farmer managed seed systems and the place of farmer managed seed systems in Kenya. Find out more: www.routetofood.org Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org Enjoy!

Healthy soils feed a healthy plant and in turn safe, nutritious and balanced food for a healthy population. Dr. David Lelei a soil biologist joins us in this episode of the Cha Kula podcast and shares with us the status of the soil in the country and why soil is very important in ensuring we are food secure. He also shares with us some of the practices we can use to regenerate our soils and why it is important to take care of our soils. Find out more: www.routetofood.org Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org Enjoy!

In this episode, Patricia McFadden, a radical African feminist, activist, sociologist, writer, educator, and publisher from Eswatini shares with us her insights on power dynamics in food and farming systems focusing on the role of gender, politics and multinational corporations in food security. Find out more: www.routetofood.org Join the Route to Food Alliance: routetofood.org/join-alliance/ Follow us on Twitter: @routetofood Friend us on Facebook: @routetofood Questions, comments, opinions? Email us on info@routetofood.org Enjoy!