Effect of COVID-19 on Food Pricing and Coping Strategies Among Households in Kakamega County Kenya

Food price shocks exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic have the potential to threaten food security, especially among low-income households. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of COVID-19 on food prices and the coping strategies of households in Malava and Lurambi Sub-Counties of Kakamega County, Kenya. The researchers adopted a descriptive survey design for this study. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed using KoBo Collect and synchronized to the Open Data Kit (ODK) server and used to collect data from a sample size of 200 households. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 26 to generate descriptive statistics. Results reveal that food prices significantly affected households as they depended on the market for food supply, with nutritious food items such as meat, vegetables, milk, and fruits exposed to significant food price shocks arising from COVID-19. Coping strategies included a reduced number of meals per day, reduced dietary diversity, and lower expenditure on health and education, calling for State and County Government interventions to provide food relief and transfer payments for vulnerable households