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Staple Food Consumption Patterns in Urban Kenya: Trends and Policy Implications

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dc.contributor.author Muyanga, Milu
dc.contributor.author Thomas, Jayne
dc.contributor.author Kodhek, Gem
dc.contributor.author Ariga, Joshua
dc.date.issued 2005
dc.date.accessioned 2021-02-08T09:19:42Z
dc.date.available 2021-02-08T09:19:42Z
dc.identifier.uri https://www.tegemeo.org/images/_tegemeo_institute/downloads/publications/working_papers/wp19.pdf
dc.description.abstract Abstract This study examines current consumption patterns of the main staple carbohydrate products in Nairobi -- maize, wheat, rice, and cooking bananas -- in an effort to update policy makers’ knowledge of current urban food consumption patterns. The study also identifies the factors driving changes in the amount and form of urban maize meal consumption, in order to better understand how food security policy should be designed to respond to the needs of low income consumers. The study reveals how consumption and expenditure patterns differ according to household income. The study also examines whether the marketing channels used by the poor to secure their staple carbohydrate products differ from those used by relatively high-income consumers. The data used in this study comes from a cross-sectional random survey of 542 households in Nairobi’s urban areas and environs. The Tegemeo Institute in collaboration with the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) using the CBS’s NASSEP IV frame implemented the survey in November/December 2003. An earlier analysis of household survey data conducted in 1995 involving a random survey of 549 in Nairobi was used was a baseline. The results indicate that while generally the volumes of staple carbohydrate consumption have declined, it is the poorest section of the urban population that has been affected the most. Also, on average, there has been a decline in consumption of maize products and rice. The poorest have experienced the greatest decline. Consumption of wheat products has grown significantly among all groups, but particularly among higher income groups. These results also indicate a significant shift in maize meal consumption patterns. Even though posho meal consumption has declined, it continues to be a preserve of the poor because it is relatively inexpensive compared to sifted maize meal. Retail channels used to procure staple carbohydrate products vary substantially by income. The poorest income groups rely mainly on small shops (dukas) while well-off households rely both on dukas and supermarkets. These findings hold some implications for food security policy. Because wheat is emerging as an important expenditure item among the urban households, even the poor, the duty on imported wheat and wheat flour, which currently stands at 35 percent and 60 percent, respectively, may have adverse effects on urban poverty. Because Kenya is a member of COMESA and WTO, there will be external pressures to reduce these duties over time. Measures aimed at enhancing productivity and marketing of domestically produced wheat so as to lower wheat prices for the benefit of the poor should be considered. en_US
dc.description.sponsorship Tegemeo Agricultural Monitoring and Policy Analysis Project (TAMPA) between Tegemeo Insitute/Egerton University and the Department of Agricultural Economics at Michigan State University. Financial support for this project is provided by the Kenya Mission of the United States Agency for International Development. Additional support is also provided by MSU through resources from the Food Security III Cooperative Agreement. en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher Tegemeo Institute en_US
dc.subject Staple Food -- Consumption Patterns -- Trends and Policy Implications en_US
dc.title Staple Food Consumption Patterns in Urban Kenya: Trends and Policy Implications en_US
dc.title.alternative Working Paper 19 en_US
dc.type Working Paper en_US


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  • Tegemeo Institute [96]
    Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development is a policy research institute under the Division of Research and Extension ofEgerton University. The Institute is established under Statute 23 (14-t) of the Egerton University Statutes, 2013 under the Universities Act , 2012 (No. 42 of 2012) and its Instruments.

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