10th U6+ Consortium of African Universities International Conference

Rapid urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa has intensified food and nutrition insecurity, particularly in fast-growing secondary cities where food systems are weak. This study examined the contribution of urban agriculture to household food and nutrition security in Eldoret City, Kenya, using the four pillars framework of availability, access, utilization, and stability. A mixed-methods cross-sectional design was employed, combining household survey of approximately 400 households across different residential zones with Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data was thematically analysed. The findings showed that 96% of the households practice urban agriculture with 12% relying on it as the main source of livelihood. Urban agriculture contributed strongly to food availability by supplementing household food supplies and diversifying sources through vegetable and livestock production. However, it did not replace market dependence, as households remained heavily reliant on purchased food. It moderately improved food access through cost savings and limited income generation, but its buffering effect against food price volatility and income shocks was partial. Nutritional outcomes were mixed: while most households reported regular meals and moderate dietary diversity, widespread coping strategies such as portion size reduction revealed hidden food insecurity. Food stability remained fragile, with pronounced seasonal shortages and limited adoption of climate-adaptive practices. A one-way ANOVA showed statistically significant differences in agricultural productivity across zones (p=0.011), while χ2 test of independence (p > 0.05) confirmed statistically non-significant association between participation in urban agriculture and food security. In general, urban agriculture enhanced all four dimensions of food and nutrition security in Eldoret City, but unevenly. The study concluded that urban agriculture is a complementary livelihood and risk-mitigation strategy within broader urban food systems. Strengthening its contribution requires integration into urban planning, nutrition-sensitive interventions, and climate resilience strategies, particularly in secondary cities undergoing rapid transformation.