Kenya Food Security Simulator (KFSS): Analyzing Household Data for Food Security Insights

Recently, food security in the world has been heavily impacted by a series of complex crises calling for quick policy actions to respond to them. To inform such actions, innovative policy analysis tools are needed to not only inform but also guide policy direction when the crisis hits unexpectedly. It is in this view that Kenya Food Security Simulator (KFSS) has been jointly developed by Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) under the CGIAR initiative on National Policies and Strategies. The tool, designed in Excel, enables quick evaluations of direct household level outcomes of economic crises and policy responses in a timely manner. KFSS allows for a first-cut assessment of potential short-term impacts of food price or household income changes on food consumption, diet quality ,and other food security indicators among Kenya’s population groups.

KFSS was officially launched on 21^st June, 2023 during KIPPRA’s 6^th annual regional conference at  Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya.

Dr. Rose Ngugi, KIPPRA’s Executive Director, in her opening remarks, emphasised the need to have this innovative tool to guide the Kenyan government in achieving a key objective of the Bottom-up economic Transformation Agenda i.e., “ensuring we have food and nutrition security”.

Additionally, Dr. Fred Simiyu, KIPPRA’s Board member, underscored the importance of investing in innovative solutions that guide policy makers, especially in addressing the pressing food security concerns in the Arid and Semi-Arid Areas (ASALs). He applauded the joint efforts, and significant milestone achieved by KIPPRA and partners in contributing to the acceleration of growth and development in ASALs of Kenya. “The launch we are having today is just the beginning, the real impact will be determined by how we utilize the tool to inform policies, shape interventions, and transform our food systems” said Dr. Simiyu.

The participants were encouraged to explore this innovative solution, share best practices, and try meaningful change. “Embrace this Food Security Simulator as available resource to ensure that its full potential is realised”. He concluded

During the launch, participants were taken through KFSS motivation and purpose, technical aspect, and short demonstration of how the tool works. The participants were able to scan the QR code on the postcards to access and download the tool, a digital move that was much appreciated by them.

Video of Kenya Food Security Simulator (KFSS) launch

Authors:
Juneweenex Mbuthia, Research Officer, IFPRI
Lensa Omune, Research Officer, IFPRI

Photo and video credit: KIPPRA communication

The Food Security Simulator Kenya was jointly developed by Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) ,  the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) , and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), under the CGIAR Initiatives on National Policies and Strategies (NPS). We would like to thank all funders who supported this research through their contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund.