Nairobi:There is a pressing need for stronger nutrition interventions and an improved food system in Nairobi County to address the persistent burden of child malnutrition alongside rising overweight and obesity rates, according to local officials.
According to Kenya News Agency, Nairobi County Nutrition Coordinator Jessica Mbochi reported that the county had approximately 11,635 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition and 25,000 with moderate acute malnutrition, as discovered in an assessment conducted in July. Despite a decline from about 14,000 severe cases previously reported, the numbers remain high and continue to strain available health services.
Mbochi emphasized the urgency of coordinating efforts across multiple sectors, including health, agriculture, trade, water and sanitation, and social protection, to tackle the underlying causes of malnutrition. Speaking at a media engagement meeting organized by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) under the CASCADE project, she highlighted the importance of nutrition interventions prioritizing maternal and child health, particularly during the first 1,000 days from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday.
The county is implementing various programs such as breastfeeding promotion, micronutrient supplementation, growth monitoring, deworming, and complementary feeding, alongside efforts to improve food safety and dietary diversity. However, Mbochi noted that 57 percent of women of reproductive age in Nairobi are overweight or obese, increasing their risk of non-communicable diseases, with only about 52 percent meeting the recommended dietary diversity.
She attributed these challenges partly to reliance on processed foods, inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables, food safety risks, and the high cost of nutritious foods. Mbochi urged media practitioners to support public awareness on healthy diets, breastfeeding, and the importance of accessing professional nutrition advice.
Nairobi County Sub-County Nutrition Officer Diana Muriithi stressed the importance of dietary diversity for improving nutritional outcomes, particularly among women and children. She stated that women should consume at least five of the ten recommended food groups daily, while children should receive diverse complementary foods from six months alongside continued breastfeeding.
Muriithi expressed concern over the declining dietary diversity among women and children, calling for improved access to nutritious foods and stronger nutrition education. She also cautioned against misinformation on weight management and urged people to seek guidance from qualified nutritionists.
Additionally, the county has made progress in school nutrition through its Dishi na County programme, which provides meals to learners in public primary schools, reaching 313,441 learners in 228 schools through 21 central kitchens. Despite recruiting 84 nutritionists in 2024, bringing the workforce to about 140, staffing remains inadequate.
The speakers at the meeting called for stronger collaboration between the media, government, and other stakeholders to improve public understanding of nutrition challenges and promote evidence-based solutions.
