Kim Trathen, International Campaigner from Kenya on World Food Day.

I was in Mwingi district in Kenya today, at one of a series of events taking place in the country for World Day. This is one of the most affected areas of the current food crisis in Kenya and this was a great opportunity for affected communities to make their voices heard. Crop failures, a doubling of food prices over the past two years and post-electoral political unrest have left Kenya facing a food crisis of devastating proportions. One that has resulted in 10 million hungry and one in ten Kenyans in need of external food support.

1000 people from around the district gathered at an agricultural fair, in part, to meet with the main guest – the Director of Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture. A charter of demands from the communities was presented by Lucia Nduni.

The guests all seemed to like this part the best, as it was received to cheers and murmurs from everyone! I think this is because it was a chance for everyone to hear what communities wanted from their government to support them to get through this hungry period.

As Agenetta Mwasya from Ngungani eastern province put it “We need government to give seeds. I don’t have a husband and I am struggling to support my children. It hasn’t rained for at least one year. When there is rain, I have enough to cover school fees and food. But we haven’t had enough for quite a while. If I could get seed and then it rains we would be OK”.

In this area around 60 percent of the population is relying on food distribution and this is likely to go up in coming months. There has been no proper rain for 2-3 years. In 2008 there was a total crop failure. This year, according to all signs, it is likely to be another bad harvest.

But today suddenly….the heavens opened up and it rained. In fact, so much so that the guests had to shelter under canvas!

Next up the young Activista campaigners made some noise as part of their make some noise activities today. Find out more on MyActivista.org

Finally, Nixon ActionAid’s head of policy and campaigns in Kenya presented a copy of the Scorecard (ActionAid’s new report) to the Director from the Ministry of Agriculture. He said that Kenya is only scoring 40 out of 100 – and this isn’t enough. The report concluded that Kenya needs much more investment in agriculture – with current budgets sitting at a paltry 4 per cent of its national budget to the sector.

Now for a nights rest before tomorrow’s activities when there will be a concert taking place with an impressive line-up of artists from across Africa.

• Find out about the "Free the Hungry Billion" concert that took place the next day
• Download a copy of our Scorecard Report: "Who's Really Fighting Hunger?"