Vihiga: The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA) in collaboration with the German organization Welthungerhilfe (WHH) are implementing a programme aimed at ensuring the vulnerable in Vihiga County have access to food.
According to Kenya News Agency, the programme, dubbed strengthening rural governance for the right to adequate food, is geared towards ensuring that vulnerable members of society are food and nutritionally secure using a rights-based approach.
Vihiga Deputy Governor (DG) Wilberforce Kitiezo, who graced the occasion hosted at a Vihiga hotel, pledged the commitment of the county administration to support the project to its fruition. Mr. Kitiezo pointed out that the programme brings on board smallholder farmers, the village elders, the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and both the county and national governments.
The DG noted that duty bearers and other players are obligated to strengthen advocacy and social accountability efforts by integrating the right to food in policy processes. “The political, administrative, and community leaders are supposed to demonstrate social accountability and respond to demands from the marginalized and vulnerable groups, particularly in the rural areas,” he stated.
He added that the County and National governments have to enact laws and formulate policies that ensure inclusivity, promote accountability, and uphold the right to food.