Gachagua wants global funding model that is in favour of Africa

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, Italy. [DPCS, Standard]

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for review of the global funding system to enable the continent produce enough food and have surplus for export.

Addressing the UN Food Systems Summit in Rome on Monday, Mr Gachagua said as currently structured, the international funding model is not inclusive, particularly in the agriculture sector.

"The present financial architecture has been disadvantageous to the African continent which faces huge challenges. The continent needs to be looked at differently," said the DP.

Gachagua is representing President William Ruto at the high-level summit for heads of state and government.

With a better financing and inclusive system, the deputy president said Africa will cope better.

"We have just come out of the worst drought in 40 years after five subsequent failed rain seasons. Therefore, we are calling upon the world and all our partners to look at the issues of the African continent from a different perspective and apply an aggressive way of putting funds aside to enable the continent to produce enough food and have surplus for export," Gachagua said.

He said was working closely with partners to improve food production amid the emerging challenges, including the recent prolonged drought.

"We are in partnership with global partners to enhance food production. But there must be a different financial architecture for African countries," he said. During a luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for some leaders from the Horn of Africa, the DP requested the Italian government to fast-track resumption of the stalled Arror and Kimwarer dam projects.

He pointed out that the dams, which are crucial to food security, stalled because of political expediency.

Gachagua said the Ruto administration is implementing turnaround strategies in various sub-sectors, especially those that will impact the people at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

He pointed out that the Hustler Fund is accessible to millions of people who are contributing to the growth of the agricultural sector.

"As an administration, we have changed the entire strategy in financing food systems by putting more money at the bottom of the economic pyramid where most of the food is produced. We have rolled out the Hustler Fund for the access of the majority of the people in the food production chain," he said.

To boost production, the DP said that the government has invested more than Sh50 billion to boost various interventions including distribution of subsidised fertilisers.

Gachagua said the government is keen on the success of the school meals programme.