Kenya and Nigeria link security efforts to food stability

Governments in Kenya and Nigeria are implementing initiatives that link national security with food security to bolster community resilience.

In Kenya, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), through Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU), is collaborating with government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and local communities to address humanitarian needs. In Laikipia North, the KDF and Kenya Red Cross facilitated food assistance across nine locations to support households facing shortages. Additionally, in Turkana County, KDF personnel partnered with Medical Missions Africa (MeMA) to provide medical and veterinary services, including livestock vaccinations, to safeguard the livelihoods of pastoralist households.

In Nigeria, the Federal Government has launched the AgriShield Initiative, led by the National Counter Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser in partnership with TAG International. The initiative, currently piloting in Borno State, aims to create a protective environment for farmers to cultivate land and harvest crops without fear. The campaign focuses on integrating security operations with agricultural recovery to ensure a more secure national food supply.