The Food System Resilience Project (FSRP) has held a comprehensive community workshop aimed at strengthening transparency, inclusivity, and sustainability in agricultural development within Lamu County.
The workshop, held at the Farmer Training Centre (FTC) in Mpeketoni, brought together members of the County Driven Development Committee (CDDC) and the Social Accountability and Integrity Committee from Lamu West Sub-county.
Organised under the framework of the Food System Resilience Project (FSRP), the session sought to empower local structures to promote sustainable agriculture and enhance accountability in the implementation of community-driven projects.
Key objectives of the workshop included helping committee members understand their specific roles, guiding them through registration with the Department of Social Services as Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), and supporting the opening of official bank accounts for operational transparency.
Participants were also sensitised on how to support Common Interest Groups (CIGs), Vulnerable and Marginalised Groups (VMGs), and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) to join cooperatives in their respective wards, fostering inclusive participation in the county’s agricultural value chains.
The teams further discussed signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the County Government of Lamu and a Code of Conduct with the FSRP to formalise collaboration and accountability frameworks. Environmental and social safeguards relevant to the project were also a central focus of the discussions.
Speaking during the official opening, Lamu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, James Gichu, commended the committees for their active participation and urged them to maintain transparency and ethical standards in their operations.
“Effective communication, fairness, and integrity are key pillars in building strong community institutions. I encourage all members to work collaboratively and uphold these values to ensure the success of the Food System Resilience Project,” said Mr. Gichu.
The workshop marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the FSRP in Lamu County, reinforcing the government’s commitment to building resilient food systems, improving livelihoods, and fostering accountability in community-driven development.