NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya’s nutrition status has shown encouraging signs of improvement, with recent data revealing a reduction in malnutrition rates across the country.
However, while many regions celebrate this progress, others continue to grapple with persistent challenges.
The latest Kenya Food and Nutrition Security Seasonal Assessment, released by the Ministry of Health, sheds light on the complex landscape of food security and malnutrition in the country.
The report paints a picture of both hope and ongoing concern. On the positive side, the number of children requiring management for acute malnutrition has decreased significantly—from 847,932 in February 2024 to 760,488 by July 2024.
This drop is largely credited to improved food security, which has been bolstered by favorable weather conditions during the 2023 short rains and the 2024 long rains.
Increased milk availability, food stocks, and overall better nutrition have contributed to these gains.
Despite these improvements, certain regions remain in critical condition. Areas like Turkana South have moved from “extremely critical” to “critical” levels of acute malnutrition, while Turkana Central, Turkana West, and Mandera, among others, continue to struggle within the critical phase.
Meanwhile, counties like Isiolo, Wajir, and Garissa remain in the “serious” category, indicating that more work is needed to address these hotspots.
Veronica Kirogo, Head of the Division of Nutrition and Dietetics, emphasized that while the overall situation is improving, the nutrition landscape in Kenya’s arid counties remains precarious.
The cumulative impact of previous failed seasons, exacerbated by the 2022/2023 drought, has left a lasting scar. Other challenges such as floods, high morbidity, and inadequate child feeding practices have compounded the issue.
Moreover, poor water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions, along with sub-optimal multi-sectoral intervention coverage, have hindered the positive effects of recent good rainy seasons.
As a result, the report calls for sustained multi-sectoral actions to tackle these challenges head-on. Key response actions include the provision of nutrition, health, and water services to the most affected areas.
The report also recommends mass screening, hotspot mapping, and integrated health and nutrition outreach programs in high-priority regions to accelerate recovery.
The road to better nutrition in Kenya is still fraught with challenges, but the signs of progress are undeniable.
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) has also reported a drop in the number of people needing assistance—from 1.5 million in February 2024 to one million in August 2024.
Similarly, the number of pregnant and breastfeeding women requiring treatment for acute malnutrition has decreased from 123,567 in February to 112,401 by July.
With the onset of the October-November-December short rains season approaching, experts are hopeful that the nutrition situation will continue to improve.
However, for Kenya to fully overcome these challenges, a coordinated and sustained effort will be crucial. The battle against malnutrition is far from over, but with continued focus and investment, there is hope that the gains made so far can be built upon to ensure a healthier future for all Kenyans.
