Kenya’s food manufacturing and agricultural export sectors could benefit from improved market access and stronger consumer confidence following the launch of a new national strategy aimed at strengthening food safety standards.
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) launched the National Codex Strategic Plan 2026–2031, a five-year framework expected to cost approximately KSh 760 million to implement. The strategy seeks to strengthen food safety systems, improve scientific research, enhance regulatory coordination and align locally produced food with internationally recognised standards.
The initiative comes at a time when food safety compliance is increasingly important in determining the competitiveness of agricultural and manufactured products in regional and international markets.
Speaking during the launch in Nairobi on November 11, 2026, KEBS Director General Esther Ngari said the strategy would strengthen Kenya’s capacity to address emerging food safety challenges while ensuring that internationally recognised standards are adopted and implemented locally.
The plan is anchored on three strategic pillars: science-based standards, strengthened National Codex Committee management systems and sustainable practices.
For Kenyan manufacturers, food processors, farmers and exporters, the framework presents an opportunity to improve product quality, strengthen production systems and build confidence in locally manufactured food products.
Strengthening Kenya’s competitiveness in export markets
One of the biggest implications of the new strategy is its potential to improve the acceptance of Kenyan products in international markets.
Food exporters must meet specific safety, quality, labelling, processing and traceability requirements depending on their destination markets and the products they intend to sell.Failure to comply can result in rejected consignments, additional testing costs, delayed shipments and loss of business opportunities.
For agricultural exporters dealing in cereals, nuts, fresh produce, processed foods and other food commodities, stronger national food safety systems could help address some of these challenges.
The Codex Alimentarius Commission, established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), develops international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice to protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade.
By strengthening its participation in Codex activities, Kenya seeks to ensure that domestic food safety regulations are informed by internationally recognised scientific benchmarks.This could help manufacturers understand evolving market requirements and improve their preparedness when targeting export destinations.
However, adopting Codex standards does not automatically guarantee access to foreign markets. Exporters must still comply with the specific sanitary, phytosanitary and other regulatory requirements of their destination countries.
What the strategy means for food manufacturers
For manufacturers, the strategy places greater emphasis on food safety throughout the production and processing chain.Businesses may need to strengthen quality assurance systems, improve laboratory testing, maintain accurate production records and enhance traceability mechanisms.
Food processors handling cereals, dairy products, meat, edible oils, beverages and packaged foods will need reliable systems for identifying and controlling contamination risks.
The strategy also seeks to strengthen scientific risk assessments and accelerate the adoption of relevant Codex standards into national regulations.This could improve consistency in food safety requirements and provide manufacturers with a clearer framework for managing product quality.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), however, may face difficulties meeting additional compliance requirements.
Investments in laboratory services, modern processing equipment, storage facilities, quality management systems and staff training can increase operational costs, particularly for businesses with limited access to capital.
Consequently, the success of the strategy will partly depend on whether smaller manufacturers can access affordable technical assistance, testing facilities and capacity-building opportunities.
Tackling aflatoxin contamination in agricultural value chains
Aflatoxin contamination remains an important food safety concern in Kenya, particularly in cereals and nuts.The toxins are produced by certain species of fungi that can contaminate crops under favourable environmental conditions, especially where harvesting, drying and storage practices are inadequate.
Contaminated agricultural products pose risks to human and animal health while reducing the commercial value of produce.
For farmers, processors and exporters, aflatoxin contamination can result in rejected produce, financial losses and reduced confidence in Kenyan agricultural commodities.
During the strategy’s launch, the National Codex Committee disclosed that Kenya had submitted 58,000 data points on aflatoxins in cereals and cereal-based foods to the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).
The information will contribute to the international scientific evidence used in assessing food safety risks and developing appropriate standards.
The strategy also targets at least seven commodity-based risk assessments beginning in 2027.
These assessments could strengthen understanding of contamination risks across different agricultural value chains and inform more effective prevention and control measures.
For manufacturers and exporters, improved aflatoxin monitoring could help strengthen quality assurance, reduce contamination-related losses and improve confidence in Kenyan food products.
Greater investment in research and food s safety expertise
The National Codex Strategic Plan also recognises the importance of scientific knowledge in strengthening food safety systems.
Kenya intends to train at least 160 food safety experts by 2031 and increase its capacity to undertake scientific risk assessments.This is important because effective food safety regulation requires reliable data, laboratory capacity and professionals who understand emerging risks in food production and processing.
Manufacturers could benefit from stronger collaboration between regulators, universities, research institutions and private-sector organisations.Such partnerships could support the development of better testing methods, improved preservation technologies and safer food processing practices.
The strategy also seeks to strengthen Kenya’s contribution to international food standards development, creating opportunities for local scientific institutions and industry experts to participate in global discussions.
The cost of implementation and the role of the private sector
Implementing the five-year strategy is estimated to require KSh 760 million, equivalent to approximately US$5.9 million.
The funding is expected to come from government budgetary allocations, development partners, private-sector contributions and strategic partnerships.
KEBS has called for stronger financial commitments from government institutions, noting that effective participation in international standards development requires dedicated resources.
For manufacturers and exporters, private-sector involvement will be important in ensuring that the strategy responds to practical industry challenges.
Industry associations, food processors, agricultural cooperatives and exporters can contribute through technical expertise, research partnerships, investment in quality systems and participation in standards development.
However, financing alone will not guarantee successful implementation. Clear responsibilities, transparent monitoring and consistent enforcement will be necessary to translate the strategy into measurable improvements.
The framework provides for quarterly performance and resource mobilisation reports, alongside annual reviews to assess progress.
Turning food safety compliance into a business advantage
Kenya’s new food safety strategy presents an opportunity to move beyond treating quality standards as regulatory obligations and recognise them as an important part of business competitiveness.
Manufacturers that invest in reliable food safety systems can strengthen consumer confidence, protect their brands and position their products for opportunities in regional and international markets.
For exporters, improved compliance can help reduce contamination risks and strengthen the reliability of Kenyan food products.
Small-scale processors and emerging agribusiness enterprises will also need support to meet the requirements without facing disproportionately high compliance costs.
Ultimately, the success of the National Codex Strategic Plan 2026–2031 will depend on how effectively its objectives are translated into practical improvements across Kenya’s food value chains.
If implemented effectively, the KSh 760 million investment could help strengthen consumer protection, reduce food safety risks and improve the competitiveness of Kenyan manufacturers and agricultural exporters.
For the country’s agribusiness sector, food safety is not simply about meeting regulatory requirements. It is also about building market confidence, protecting product value and creating opportunities for sustainable growth.
Author: Moureen Koech
Moureen Koech is a passionate Digital Journalist, an adept Agribusiness Writer with a keen eye for news and an impactful story-teller,whose stories provide key value to Agripreneurs and stakeholders in the Agricultural sector
