Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Household food security is the application of this concept to individuals within households as the focus of concern. Food insecurity continues to be a major development problem across the globe, undermining people’s health, productivity and often their very survival. The root cause of food insecurity in developing countries is the inability of people to gain access to food due to poverty. The main work in this study was guided by the objectives aimed at comparing the demographic characteristics, food availability, food accessibility and food utilization among households in Gachororo and Makongeni areas. Data was collected on 362 households (181 in Makongeniand 181 in Gachororo) and the data analyzed using SPSS to give descriptive and inferential statistics. There was notable difference in unemployment status which was at 44.2% in Gachororo and 33% in Makongeni. There were also minimal differences for food availability in both areas because 35.4% of the respondents own land for food production in both Gachororo and Makongeni. There is a slight difference in livestock ownership because more respondents own livestock in Gachororo (44.2%) as compared to Makongeni (30.9%) However, there are differences in the food accessibility and utilization. There is a significant difference of the household dietary diversity score depending on the residence  There are more food secure respondents in Makongeni (63.5%) than Gachororo (42%). There are also higher levels of combined mild, moderate and severe food insecurity in Gachororo (58%) as compared to Makongeni (36.5%). The difference between the two areas is however insignificant as tested using t-test  to compare means of both areas  This classification was derived from the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Pearson correlation test was done on the HFIAS scores and the correlation between the HFIAS scores and household monthly income was a negative low correlation  while there was negligible correlation between HFIAS and the number of household members  All the respondents interviewed in Makongeni use tap water use while those in Gachororo have varied sources of water for household use including tap water (47.5%), borehole (11%), water vendor (40.9%) and stream/ river (0.6%). In conclusion, there are minimal differences in the demographic characteristics, food availability and food accessibility  of households in Gachororo and Makongeni. There are differences between household food security levels in Makongeni and Gachororo which are not statistically significant. Based on findings, recommendations made are the introduction of income generating activities especially for women, diversification of agricultural methods and supplying clean water to Gachororo which most residents lack.

food security, food availability, food accessibility, food utilization.