NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has welcomed His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho as the country hosts a high-level engagement on food security and nutrition, bringing together humanitarian leaders and senior government officials to strengthen efforts aimed at ending hunger across Africa.
The King, who serves as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Zero Hunger Champion and the African Union Champion for Nutrition, was received by Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Dr Ahmed Idris, IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain, and senior officials from the Government of Kenya during the official visit.
The visit places Kenya at the centre of continental conversations on sustainable food systems, with leaders expected to explore how community-led initiatives are helping vulnerable populations build resilience against hunger, climate shocks and malnutrition.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, the delegation will be taken through locally developed food security programmes that are empowering communities to produce food, improve nutrition and strengthen livelihoods through innovative, home-grown solutions.
King Letsie III has long championed improved nutrition across Africa, using his role as African Union Champion for Nutrition to advocate for stronger investment in nutrition-sensitive agriculture, child health and resilient food systems. His appointment as the IFRC’s Zero Hunger Champion further reinforces efforts to shift humanitarian action from emergency food aid towards long-term, community-driven solutions.
The visit comes as millions of people across the continent continue to face food insecurity driven by climate change, prolonged droughts, conflict and economic pressures. In Kenya, humanitarian agencies have been supporting communities through integrated programmes that combine emergency assistance with climate-smart agriculture, water management and livelihood restoration.
The IFRC’s Africa Zero Hunger initiative seeks to promote durable solutions by investing in local innovation and resilience rather than relying solely on emergency relief. Across Kenya, projects supported by the Kenya Red Cross have demonstrated how communities can improve food production through sustainable farming practices, livestock support and locally adapted nutrition interventions.
Officials said the visit will provide an opportunity to showcase Kenya’s experience in developing locally led food security solutions while encouraging greater collaboration among governments, humanitarian organisations and development partners in tackling one of Africa’s most pressing challenges.
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