Mandera, Kenya – September 29, 2025
The Department of Public Health in Mandera County kicked off a two-day review of the Public Health Food Safety and Quality (FSQ) Strategy for 2025-2029 today. The initiative brought together key departments, including Agriculture, Livestock, Trade, and Education, represented by their respective technical directors and Chief Officers.
The FSQ Strategy aims to serve as a comprehensive framework for ensuring food safety in Mandera County, from production (farm) to consumption (fork). It will address critical cross-border food safety challenges involving Somalia and Ethiopia, while tackling the high burden of foodborne illnesses and the increasing prevalence of lifestyle diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
The review session was supported by the County Government of Mandera in partnership with the National Government through the Ministry of Health and the World Food Programme (WFP). Madam Sahara, a senior Public Health Officer from Afya House, facilitated the discussions.
The event was officially opened by Mr. Muktar Issack, Chief Officer for Public Health, alongside Chief Officers for Crop Production, Adan Maalim; Trade, Muad Mohamed; Livestock, Mohamed Adan; and Human Capital Development, Fatuma Abdi. Their presence underscored the county’s commitment to a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach to enhancing food safety and public health.
Once finalized, the FSQ Strategy is expected to strengthen Mandera County’s food systems, improve public health outcomes, and promote sustainable development across the region.
