Structure and properties of urban household food demand in Nairobi, Kenya: implications for urban food security

Abstract

Urban household food insecurity continues to be a major problem in many urban households of SubSaharan Africa. The ineffectiveness of policies addressing the problem has hinged in particular on the paucity of information about consumption patterns under changing economic conditions. Elasticities of food demand were estimated through the Linear Approximated Almost Ideal Demand System (LA/AIDS) and inferences about access to food were drawn. Shifts in consumption were evident when changes occurred in income, prices and household demography. As the urban poor are sensitive to variation in food prices and income, they should be cushioned against their negative effects in order for their access to food to be enhanced and hence their food security improved. Dairy and dairy products and wheat and wheat products were identified as subsidy carriers which would improve the nutrition of the urban poor. These results provide guidance for the design of food security and nutrition strategies and programs at the micro and macroeconomic levels.

The effect of education on household food security in two informal urban settlements in Kenya: a longitudinal analysis

“…Using longitudinal data spanning 6 years from households in two informal settlements in Nairobi, we observed high levels of food insecurity -only 27 % of households were food secure. Levels of food insecurity were nearly threefold that of the national average of 26 % in 2013 (Dietz et al 2014) and consistent with previous studies conducted in the same context (Faye et al 2011;Kimani-Murage et al 2014) and in other contexts (Musyoka et al 2010;Birhane et al 2014). Urban agriculture is limited and urban households, including the poor, depend on food supplies from rural areas and the ability to pay in a cash-based economy (Kimani-Murage et al 2014).…”

“…We hypothesised that the effect of education on food security is mainly through income in the urban context. Income in this case is a more proximate factor, since urban households mainly depend on out of pocket purchases for food (World Food Programme 2009;Musyoka et al 2010). Education is a key factor in food access, production and utilization.…”

Demand for Meat in the Rural and Urban Areas of Kenya: A Focus on the Indigenous Chicken

“…In regard to other studies, chicken, beef and mutton were classified as necessities in Bangladesh [52], while only beef in Tanzania [53]. However, beef and the aggregated poultry category were identified as luxuries in urban areas [28], including the aggregated meat category and fish in Cameroon [54] and Tanzania [34]. In South Africa, beef, and mutton were regarded as luxuries while chicken as a necessity [33], similarly beef was a luxury and poultry in contrast was classified as a necessity in Nigeria [55].…”

“…Williamson and Shah [25] analysed the demand for food products in both the rural and urban areas of Kenya. Recent studies on demand and consumption patterns include [26][27][28]. Musyoka et al [28] for instance, examined consumption patterns in urban areas and the implications to urban food security, and Gamba [27] characterized consumption of meat products and eggs in Nairobi city, while Bouis et al [26] looked at the reliability of food expenditure information from Kenya and Philippines.…”

“…Recent studies on demand and consumption patterns include [26][27][28]. Musyoka et al [28] for instance, examined consumption patterns in urban areas and the implications to urban food security, and Gamba [27] characterized consumption of meat products and eggs in Nairobi city, while Bouis et al [26] looked at the reliability of food expenditure information from Kenya and Philippines. Moreover, Chantylew and Belete [29] assessed the demand for beef, mutton and goat, pork, and chicken between 1961 and 1991 and demand for sheep and goat meat [30] among others.…”