NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has introduced a new national tool to measure the holistic development of children from birth to five years, marking the first time the country has gathered nationwide data on early childhood milestones beyond physical growth.
The initiative forms part of the 2025/26 Kenya Mini Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
The survey collected data from 30,000 households across 1,000 communities in all 47 counties.
Unlike traditional health surveys that focus on weight, height, and nutrition, the new approach assesses how children think, communicate, learn, and interact with their environment.
It uses the World Health Organization’s Global Scales for Early Development (GSED) to assess children from birth to three years.
It also applies UNICEF’s Early Childhood Development Index 2030 for children aged three to five.
KNBS trained 150 data collectors and adapted assessment tools into local languages to ensure cultural relevance and accuracy.
“Feedback from data collectors confirmed that mothers responded positively to the simple, engaging picture cards, creating a welcoming environment that supported effective data collection,” said Dr. Makeba, WHO Kenya technical lead for child health.
WHO provided technical training and support to KNBS, the Ministry of Health, and other partners to ensure consistent implementation nationwide.
Dr Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, WHO Representative to Kenya, said the organisation looks forward to the final results and the policy opportunities they will unlock.
“WHO is proud to be part of this journey, and we look forward to seeing the final results and the opportunities they will create to improve the health and well-being of children across Kenya,” she said.
Experts say the data will help policymakers identify developmental gaps early and direct resources to areas most in need.
Early childhood, especially the first three years, is widely recognised as critical for brain development, language acquisition, and social skills.
Interventions during this window are more effective and cost-efficient than remedial action later in life.
While the tools do not diagnose medical conditions, they may highlight delays in social, cognitive, or language skills.
Such delays can sometimes signal underlying conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or Down syndrome.
The survey is designed for population-level assessment and does not replace clinical evaluation.
Children flagged as developmentally behind can be referred for further medical assessment and support.
Health professionals say early detection increases the chances of effective intervention and improved long-term outcomes.
The findings are expected to guide government programmes in health, nutrition, early learning, and social protection.
They could also influence budgeting decisions and shape county-level planning under Kenya’s devolved governance system.
As the country awaits analysis of the data, officials say the survey represents a shift toward evidence-based policymaking in early childhood development, a move that could reshape how Kenya supports its youngest citizens during their most formative years.
