Practices of Vendors in Provision of Safe and Quality Food for Slum Residents in Nairobi, Kenya: A Gendered Exploration.

Abstract

Women dominate the food vending sector, comprising 68.40% of vendors, compared to 31.60% male vendors, largely due to small startup business fund requirements, offering flexibility this occupation offers in balancing households with business responsibilities, and working in close proximity to their homes. However, gender-specific determinants significantly inherent in the informal market setup and sociocultural contexts hinder their ability to ensure food safety and quality. This study investigates the practices of food vendors in providing safe and high-quality food for informal settlement residents in Nairobi, Kenya, with a specific focus on gender dynamics. Using the Harvard Analytical Framework�particularly its access and influencing factors�the study examined gender disparities in resource ownership (e.g., access to loans, education, and sanitation facilities) influencing food safety behavior. Together with the Netherlands Food Partnership Collective Impact Coalition Framework on Ghanaian Urban Food Environments, this study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining a survey of 554 food vendors and focused-group discussions with vendors in Kibera. The findings revealed significant disparities in food safety practices, with male vendors more likely to maintain hygiene standards such as handwashing (69.01% vs. 56.35%) and proper handling of foods like raw meat (11.64% vs. 3.84%). Female vendors were disproportionately affected by poor sanitation, with 75.88% operating near open drainages compared to 62.36% of male vendors. Key determinants for adherence to food safety standards for both genders were the ability to pay rent, while those specific to women were access to loans and businesses being closed by county health officers. One�s source of water and attending food safety campaigns significantly increased the adoption of safe and quality food-handling techniques for men. The study concludes with recommendations for targeted capacity-building programs, improved access to sanitation and storage infrastructure, and gender-sensitive policies to empower female vendors and improve food safety in Nairobi�s informal settlements.