Kenya’s Hunger Crisis – the Result of Right to Food Violations
Kenya suffers from recurring drought. The situation during the past three years, however, has reached levels unparalleled in living memory.
Heidelberg, 15.03.2010 – “Kenya’s Hunger Crisis – the Result of Right to Food Violations” is the title of a report launched today by FIAN International and RAPDA. These words also capture the main findings of a mission report by a joint international delegation of the African Network on the Right to Food (RAPDA) and FIAN International. The mission was carried out in September 2009 and investigated the implementation of the human right to food against the background of drought and wide-spread famine in some parts of the country.
Although the severity of the famine was exacerbated by a lack of rainfall as well as the after-effects of the post-election violence of 2007, there are a number of underlying structural problems that ensure that drought and man-made emergencies lead to famine. These include the high level of inequality in Kenya, exclusion of the poor and vulnerable groups from the social, economic and political spheres, widespread corruption and nepotism, a lack of investment in sustainable agriculture and a fragmented and contradictory legislative and policy framework.
“In these contexts, the Kenyan government is failing to adhere to its obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the right to food as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other international and regional human rights instruments.”, says Abigail Booth, Vice President of FIAN International and one of the authors of the report.
The report reveals underlying failures to address the country’s food insecurity. A brief overview of the international, regional legal and policy frameworks relating to the right to food is provided. A view of the confused legislative and policy climate in Kenya is given. Certain policy developments at the national level that could provide a way forward if followed-up are highlighted.
Challenges to the fulfilment of the right to food are illustrated through four case studies from different areas of the country. “The findings point to the extensive nature of food insecurity in the country leaving few communities untouched”, explains Sheikh E.T.Lewis, the Deputy Coordinator of RAPDA. “They also bring to light a number of violations of the right to food that serve to prolong and deepen the hunger situation in Kenya.”, Sheikh Lewis concludes.