A radical proposal is gaining traction in New York City, a global bastion of capitalism: government-run supermarkets. The plan, championed by the city's newly-elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, aims to provide affordable, healthy food for millions struggling with high costs.

For Kenyans grappling with the ever-rising price of unga and cooking oil, this American experiment poses a critical question: could a public option put food on the table more cheaply? The high cost of living remains the top concern for Kenyans, who have seen food prices spiral due to a mix of inflation, drought, and global economic pressures.

A Tale of Two Cities

New York's problem mirrors Nairobi's, though on a different scale. Mayor-elect Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic Socialist, built his successful campaign on tackling affordability. His proposal for city-owned grocery stores is a direct response to the fact that 85% of New Yorkers reported paying more for groceries this year than last. The plan is popular, with two-thirds of the city's voters supporting the idea.

In Kenya, the situation is dire. Between February and March 2025, approximately 2.2 million people faced high levels of acute food insecurity, a number projected to rise to 2.8 million. A recent report highlighted that the number of Kenyans facing food insecurity rose by 17 million between 2014 and 2024. While the government has implemented measures like fertilizer subsidies, which President William Ruto noted have helped lower maize flour prices, many families still struggle.

How Would Public Supermarkets Work?

The New York model, as outlined by Mamdani, would establish a network of non-profit stores with inherent advantages over private retailers. The core tenets of the plan include:

• No Rent or Taxes: Stores would operate on city-owned land, eliminating major overhead costs and passing savings to shoppers.
• Wholesale Prices: The city would use its purchasing power to buy goods at wholesale prices and sell them without a profit motive.
• Centralized Distribution: A central warehousing system would streamline logistics and further reduce operational costs.
• Targeted Locations: The initial pilot would place at least one store in each of New York's five boroughs, focusing on 'food deserts' with limited access to fresh food.

However, the proposal is not without its critics. Some economists and small business owners warn that such a plan could distort the market, create unfair competition, and potentially lead to corruption and inefficiency, comparing it to other state-run entities. They argue that the estimated $60 million (approx. KES 7.8 billion) cost for the pilot program could become a drain on taxpayers if not managed perfectly.

Lessons for Nairobi

While Nairobi's challenges are unique, the New York proposal forces a conversation about innovative solutions. The Kenyan government has recently moved towards price controls on essential goods to protect consumers. Yet, long-term food security remains a challenge, with the country ranking 103rd out of 123 in the 2025 Global Hunger Index.

As New York prepares to embark on this unprecedented experiment, policymakers in Nairobi will be watching closely. The question is not whether a government can run a supermarket, but whether it can do so efficiently enough to ease the daily burden on its citizens. For millions of Kenyans, the answer could mean the difference between hunger and hope.