From Food Safety to Food Defence: Institutional Fragmentation, Regulatory Risks, and National Security in Kenya’s Meat Subsector

ABSTRACT Food defence is an important aspect of public health preparedness and national security, as deliberate contamination of food systems can affect population health, economic stability, and public confidence. Although Kenya has established regulatory systems for food safety, there is limited empirical evidence on how well these systems address intentional contamination. This study examined food defence governance in Kenya's meat subsector by evaluating the regulatory and institutional framework, assessing employee awareness and institutional preparedness, and exploring the implications of existing gaps for public health and national security. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used, with the Kenya Meat Commission serving as a case study. Quantitative data were collected from 119 employees through structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained from key informant interviews with representatives from the Directorate of Veterinary Services, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Ministry of Health, and Kenya Meat Commission management. Relevant legislation, policies, and operational guidelines were also reviewed. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple linear regression, while qualitative data were analysed thematically following Braun and Clarke's approach. Findings were integrated through triangulation. Kenya has a relatively well-developed food safety system but lacks a dedicated framework for preventing and responding to intentional contamination. While employees reported high awareness of food defence concepts, institutional preparedness was weaker, particularly in relation to vulnerability assessments, simulation exercises, and coordinated emergency planning. Qualitative findings pointed to fragmented institutional mandates, limited inter-agency coordination, and the absence of a clearly designated lead agency for food defence. Regression analysis showed that weaknesses in inspection and monitoring systems were significantly associated with increased perceived public health risks (β = 0.267, p = 0.003), while preparedness index was the strongest predictor of perceived national security implications (β = 0.975, p < 0.001). Kenya's main challenge in food defence lies not in the absence of institutions, but in the continued reliance on a food safety approach that does not fully address intentional contamination. The study contributes to food defence scholarship by demonstrating that institutional coordination, regulatory recognition, operational preparedness, and security resilience provide a useful analytical framework for understanding food defence governance in lower- and middle-income countries. Strengthening food defence will require clearer policy direction, better coordination among agencies, routine vulnerability assessments, workforce training, and integration of food defence into broader public health and infrastructure protection efforts. This study provides empirical evidence from a lower-middle-income country and contributes to the literature and understanding food defence governance in African food systems. Keywords: Food Defence; Food Safety; Public Health; National Security; Food Governance.