KILIFI, Kenya — The government, in partnership with the Kenya Medical Research Institute, has launched a major research initiative to examine how aflatoxins and climate change are affecting child health, amid growing concern over rising child mortality.
The project—Tackling the Risk of Aflatoxins and Climate Effects on Child Health in Africa (TRACE)—will investigate the scale of exposure among children and inform policy interventions aimed at safeguarding public health.
Health experts speaking during the programme’s launch workshop in Kilifi warned that global gains in reducing child mortality are under threat, with emerging risks such as food toxins and climate change reversing progress.
Dr Ambrose Agwaye, a paediatrician at KEMRI, said the initiative was prompted by widespread consumption of maize and other grains that are highly susceptible to contamination by aflatoxins—poisonous substances produced by certain fungi.
“The need to initiate this programme was necessitated by the high consumption of grains, especially maize, which is a staple in many households but is often contaminated by aflatoxins,” he said.
He noted that recent studies suggest aflatoxin exposure may interfere with vaccine effectiveness in children, weakening immunity and increasing susceptibility to disease. “Exposure to aflatoxins may reduce vaccine effectiveness and weaken children’s immunity,” he added.
Aflatoxins have long been linked to serious health risks, including liver damage and cancer, but experts say their broader impact on child development is becoming more evident. Dr Agwaye warned that high exposure could also contribute to stunting and impaired growth.
Researchers say climate change is worsening the problem. According to Dr Agwaye, drought stress and extreme rainfall patterns have created favourable conditions for the growth of aflatoxin-producing fungi.
“Rapid climate change has accelerated aflatoxin production, with drought and extreme rainfall creating favourable conditions for the fungus,” he said.
The TRACE programme will adopt a multi-sectoral approach, bringing together stakeholders from the health, agriculture, and climate sectors to develop long-term mitigation strategies.
Dr David Githang’a, a paediatrician from the Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium, said exposure to aflatoxins can begin before birth, with toxins transferred from mother to child during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
“Aflatoxin exposure starts during pregnancy when toxins are transferred to the foetus and later through breastfeeding, and this can have severe long-term effects,” he said.
He warned that severe exposure can damage vital organs, particularly the liver, and may also affect brain development, increasing long-term health risks.
Stakeholders urged the public to exercise caution in food consumption, advising households to ensure grains and other food products meet safety standards set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards.
The three-year study will also examine community practices that increase exposure to contaminated food, with findings expected to guide national policy and strengthen food safety regulations.
