Promoting healthy diets and preventing Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Kenya through effective fiscal policy

(Apr 2020 – Mar 2022)

This project has two main objectives

1) To quantify the consumption of obesogenic foods (especially Ultra-Processed Foods) in the Kenyan context, explore their association with obesity, and recommend which ones should be targeted by fiscal policies for NCDs prevention; and

2) To model the effect of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages on public health and government tax revenue in Kenya.

This is a 2 year project funded by IDRC to a consortium of 3 institutions: the International Institute for Legislative Affairs, University of Cape Town School of Economics, and Agri-Food Economics Africa

Evaluating input and output market systems for CSA finger millet in Kericho, Irish Potatoes in Bomet, and Sorghum in West Pokot Counties

(Nov 2019 – Aug 2021)

This research aims to characterize finger millet, Irish potato and sorghum input and output market systems in Kericho, Bomet, and West Pokot Counties in Kenya, develop sustainable solutions for enhancing access to climate smart agriculture (CSA) inputs, develop solutions for creating sustainable output market linkages for CSA technologies, and implement the developed solutions with stakeholders.

This is a 2 year research project funded by the World Bank and the Government of Kenya through the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP). It is implemented by various partners led by Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), and includes private sector food processors, and local universities.

Consumer Demand for Organic Foods in Kenya Study

 (Sep 2019 – Aug 2021)

Following concerns on food safety in Kenya, Kula Vyema Centre is partnering with Agrifood Organics Limited, a retail company within the organics fresh foods space, to undertake a study on consumer preference for organic foods in Kenya.

The study involves designing study concepts, undertaking consumer surveys, analysis and writing of academic publications and policy outputs.

The study goal is to generate knowledge in this area, contribute to program and policy making, and orient food systems for safer diets. In the first part of this project, a total of 250 supermarket and open market shoppers were interviewed in 2019 in Kiambu County in Kenya.