Food Security

When conflict escalates, such as the one unfolding in the Gulf, the first images that come to mind are usually oil tankers, fuel prices and diplomatic tension. But the effects do not stop there. They move into fertiliser markets, then into farms and from there into food systems. In countries like Kenya, this is not something distant or theoretical. It shows up quickly in the cost of farming, even if the full effects on consumer food prices may take longer to work their way through markets.¹

Pesticides do not simply disappear once they are banned or withdrawn; many persist in the environment for years, accumulating in soil, water, air, and living organisms. These persistent chemicals, including organochlorines and other synthetic compounds, move through food chains via bioaccumulation and biomagnification, posing long-term risks to human health, wildlife, and ecosystems. Evidence from studies in Kenya and across Africa shows that even years after exposure, pesticide residues remain in people, animals, and the environment, highlighting the urgent need for remediation, monitoring, and sustainable pest management practices

Following that impactful edition, with Sauti Session on, tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), we sat down with Wafula to discuss the inspiration behind Sauti Sessions, why this partnership was so pivotal, and what he hopes will be the lasting impact of bringing survivors, experts, and citizens together to confront one of the most pervasive forms of abuse today. This is what he had to say.

This was one of the alarming insights shared during an interview with experts behind the launch of the Soil Atlas of Kenya, later featured in the Seeds of Gold section of the Nation Media Group. The discussion with Harun Warui examined the country's urgent soil health issues, their implications for food security, and the solutions needed to restore degraded lands.

At the Bayer Annual Stockholders Meeting this week, Harun Warui, Lead Coordinator for Agroecology and Food Rights at the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Nairobi, on behalf of the Coordination Against Bayer Dangers questioned Bayer’s vision for agriculture to countries in Global South.

The Heinrich Boell Foundation (hbf) today unveiled the Soil Atlas – Kenya Edition, a publication that presents critical facts and figures about soil, a vital resource that impacts food and nutritional security.

The overuse of artificial fertilisers harms soils, nitrogen fertilisers contribute to climate change and pesticides kill beneficial organisms. Despite this, companies profit from these products and influence governments, blocking essential environmental policies.

The future of agriculture is at stake as soil health continues to degrade. Practices like monoculture, plowing, and overuse of chemical inputs have depleted soil nutrients and structure, prompting farmers to explore alternative soil management strategies. While upscaling these solutions shows promise, policy, and financial support remain insufficient.