Challenges constraining sustainable household food security in Kasarani sub-county, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Introduction: as cities continue to grow rapidly due to urbanization, urban dwellers have experienced food insecurity resulting from an upsurge in the cost of staple foods. The study investigated the challenges constraining sustainable household food security in Kasarani sub-county, Nairobi County, Kenya. Methods: by the use of a descriptive survey design, questionnaires and expert guidance, data was collected for analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The internal consistency and reliability coefficients of 0.731 and 0.881 were used to test reliability and consistency of the research instruments. Article Namenge Philip Tendet et al. PAMJ - 49(126). 18 Dec 2024. - Page numbers not for citation purposes. 2 Results: from a sample of 328 farmers, 65.55% (n=215) were males while 34.45% (n=113) were female. The married, divorced, single and widowed were 63.41 (n=208), 23.78 (n=78), 5.79 (19) and 7.01% (n=23), respectively. Casual laborers, business people and formally employed ones made up 41.46 (n=136), 33.54 (110) and 25% (n=82), respectively. 32.93% (n=108) practiced urban farming while 24.70% (n=81) were involved in commercial purposes and food security. 10.98% (n=36) practiced urban farming for income diversification while 12.19% (n=40) did it as a hobby/custom and 2.13% (n=7) were unspecified. 63.11% (n=207) earned between 40-80 USD. 36.89% (n=121) earned between 80-120 USD while 4.02% (n=13) earned more than 120 USD. Urban farming was constrained by flooding (MN-3.66) followed by lack of rain (MN-3.52) pest/diseases (MN=3.49), poor yields (MN=3.28) and soil erosion (MN=3.23). Conclusion: the study recommends adherence to weather forecasting to reduce on the effects of flooding, adoption of measures to prevent soil erosion and usage of pesticides whenever applicable. A policy and institutional framework for the sector need to be established to enable urban farmers to mutually benefit from urban farming.