Tag: Nutrition

Miller awarded for innovative fortification efforts

Capwell Industries has emerged as the best miller for pioneering fortification of its rice product in the Kenyan market.

The miller received the Innovation Award at the 2025 Kenya Millers Fortification Index (KMFI) Awards for its rice fortification efforts which it says has been key in pushing national nutrition agenda.

“This recognition builds on our legacy as the first miller to fortify maize flours within Kenya even before such fortification was made compulsory, reaffirming our commitment to enriching lives through nutrition and innovation,” the firm said.

Capwell was bagged the People Management Systems award for building right human capacity for fortification efforts, as well as Production & Continuous Improvement award and Public Engagement award.

September 24, 2025
Mama Kitchen Garden: Boosting Food Security and Nutrition in Schools and Households

Food security remains one of Africa’s most urgent challenges, with millions facing hunger and inadequate nutrition. In Kenya, nearly 30% of households are food insecure—particularly in arid and semi-arid regions—while malnutrition among children persists at alarming levels.

According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), 18% of children under five are stunted, 10% are underweight, 5% suffer from wasting, and 3% are overweight—painting a grim picture of the nation’s nutritional well-being.

In response to this crisis, First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto, through her flagship Mama Kitchen Garden initiative—supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development—is championing efforts to enhance food security and improve nutrition at the household and school level.

The initiative promotes nutrition-sensitive agriculture, agritech innovation, climate-smart farming, and women’s economic empowerment. It encourages families and learning institutions to embrace kitchen gardens as a sustainable way to access fresh, nutritious food while fostering agricultural education.

Speaking during the National Mama Kitchen Garden Private Sector and Development Partners Breakfast Meeting held at the Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Headquarters, Principal Secretary for Agriculture Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh emphasized the need for a coordinated and inclusive approach to ensure long-term impact.

He highlighted the value of school kitchen gardens as “outdoor laboratories,” offering students hands-on learning in soil testing, plant growth, pest control, and sustainable farming. “Experiential learning fosters curiosity, innovation, and paves the way for the next generation of agricultural scientists and environmental stewards,” said Dr. Ronoh.

He also noted the initiative’s potential to create mentorship opportunities by connecting students with seasoned farmers and agricultural experts in structured, knowledge-sharing platforms.

For urban families and schools with limited space, Dr. Ronoh encouraged the adoption of vertical farming and hydroponics as innovative solutions to boost food production in constrained environments.

Mama Doing Good CEO Elizabeth Koskei

Elizabeth Koskei, CEO of Mama Doing Good, the organization implementing the initiative jointly with the State Department for Agriculture, said the Mama Kitchen Garden is rooted in the belief that women, families, and communities have the power to transform their lives through self-reliance and nutrition-focused farming. “Our vision is that every household—regardless of income or space—can cultivate a small garden and enjoy the dignity of healthy, homegrown food,” she stated.

Key stakeholders present at the event—including KALRO Director General Dr. Eliud Kireger and Kenya Seed Company Managing Director Sammy Chepsiror reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Mama Kitchen Garden and scaling up food security solutions across Kenya.

The official launch of the National Mama Kitchen Garden is scheduled for 9th May, 2025, at the Agriculture Training Centre (ATC) in Koibatek, Baringo County.

May 3, 2025
MoH stresses importance of nutrition amidst environmental crisis

The Ministry of Health, as conveyed by the State Department of Public Health and Professional Standards, is underlining the urgency of addressing nutrition concerns amidst the environmental challenges triggered by floods, landslides, and food insecurity.

It was stated that pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, and young children are particularly susceptible to nutritional deficiencies during such emergencies.

Mary Muthoni Muriuki, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, issued an advisory, offering specific guidance for each vulnerable group.

This encompassed recommendations to seek assistance from health service providers or humanitarian organizations within displacement camps, to maintain intake of essential supplements, to increase meal intake to support nutrition, to ensure hydration, and to adhere to exclusive breastfeeding practices.

Additionally, it was reported that the Ministry has outlined a series of actions taken as part of its flood response efforts.

These actions included coordinating meetings, prepositioning of nutrition commodities, launching malnutrition screening initiatives, planning for mass screening in displacement camps, conducting rapid assessments, repurposing health and nutrition outreaches, and monitoring violations of regulations prohibiting inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children.

The PS emphasized the importance of collective action in safeguarding the nutritional well-being of mothers, infants, and young children during these challenging times.

The Ministry’s advisory was highlighted as a timely intervention to mitigate the impact of the ongoing long rains on the health and nutrition of vulnerable populations across the country.

May 16, 2024
SMEs to access affordable credit under GAIN’s Ksh 5.2B programme

The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the nutritious food supply chain are set to access Ksh 5.2 billion in affordable credit under a five year programme by Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Kenya.

According to GAIN Kenya Country Director Ruth Okowa, the Business Plan is expected to strengthen the country’s food nutrition efforts with target to reach seven million Kenyan at the risk of poor nutrition.

“We are already working with SMEs that are in the food systems supply chain. We have been giving technical assistance and we will give financial assistance through grants and also in the form of cheap credit that they can ordinarily not access from commercial financial institutions,” said Okowa.

GAIN estimates that almost one in five children under five years of age in Kenya is stunted while 26pc of Kenyans are overweight. Another 23 million face severe food insecurity or undernourished.

The programme also targets to strengthen the policy environment for increased consumption of safe, affordable, nutritious and healthy foods, create demand for safe and nutritious food, advance fortification agenda through scaling up large scale fortification and biofortification in national and county governments and strengthen social inclusion, gender equity and empowerment for advancing nutrition among vulnerable groups.

“Any SMEs in the food system value chain that show stability, are innovative and interested in improving the nutrition in the country are eligible for the grant,” added Okowa.

The organization is currently working with Nyandarua, Nakuru, Mombasa, Nairobi and Machakos counties to implement the programme covering 2023 to 2027 with plans to bring more on board.

Under the programme, Nyandarua County is also targeting to increase its agriculture budget in the next financial year to support nutrition programmes and cut post harvest losses that is estimated at 40pc.

“This is an issue of budgeting. We should be able to have enough budget to mitigate these kinds of things,” said Nyandarua County Governor Moses Kiarie.

“We will have to increase money towards improvement of nutrition. As you realize, Nyandarua has about 18pc of the population is stunted which is not fair that we have a lot of food but again our people are not showing that we have the nutrients with us. So we are going to give our farmers a lot of training through the department of agriculture and cooperatives so that this information reaches every farmer in Nyandarua and also support those who need support to produce nutritional foods,” he added.

The organization says the funding will also help Kenya address key challenges which affect consumption of healthy diets, among them, high cost of healthy and nutritious foods, weak coordination and governance, low purchasing power, food systems data gap and low fortification compliance.

March 28, 2024
Five ways to promote breastfeeding in Kenya
Breastfeeding is one of the most fundamental and organic ways to nurture a child, giving them the best nutrients and necessary antibodies to keep them healthy. Despite all of its advantages, breastfeeding rates are still below average in several nations throughout the world. It is crucial to raise awareness of the urgent need to remove obstacles and promote breastfeeding as we observe World Breastfeeding Week.

Breastfeeding is no exception to the myriad difficulties that commonly accompany parenting. Breastfeeding’s low prevalence has been hampered by social conventions, cultural values, and false information. Mothers are further discouraged from adopting this crucial activity by the absence of supportive environments, poor employment policies, and shame associated with public breastfeeding.

The baby food industry’s extensive marketing and promotion of infant formula is a key impediment to nursing. By portraying formula as a preferable substitute, deceptive advertising strategies frequently discourage breastfeeding. This gives moms the mistaken impression that formula feeding is more practical, nutritionally equivalent, or even superior to breastfeeding.

In many cases, mothers face pressure from family, friends, and even healthcare providers to switch to formula feeding, especially if they encounter difficulties in the early stages of breastfeeding. These challenges combined can significantly impact a mother’s confidence and motivation to breastfeed, leading to an overall decline in breastfeeding rates.

Breast milk is the only nourishment that nature intended for infants since it has a special combination of nutrients that cannot be found in any infant formula. It has vital anti-infective antibodies that help shield infants from illnesses and infections, greatly lowering newborn morbidity and mortality rates. Additionally, breastfeeding is linked to a reduced risk of several chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and certain allergies, which is advantageous for the long-term health of both mother and child.

To make breastfeeding a top priority for national public health, governments, healthcare institutions, and communities must work together. By appreciating the value of breastfeeding, we can launch a holistic strategy to remove obstacles and give moms all the support they need.
1. Education and Awareness: To eliminate myths and prejudices about breastfeeding, a strong public awareness effort is necessary. Accurate information can promote a more positive attitude toward breastfeeding by being shared through public forums, social media sites, and neighborhood gatherings.
2. Supportive Healthcare System: Healthcare professionals are essential in assisting breastfeeding mothers. Medical professionals who have received the appropriate training and instruction can help moms throughout the nursing process. Adding lactation counseling services to healthcare facilities can also be extremely helpful for resolving breastfeeding difficulties.
3. Workplace Policies: Working mothers can benefit from a supportive environment that is created by implementing breastfeeding-friendly workplace rules. Mothers may be able to continue breastfeeding even after returning to work because of paid maternity leave, flexible work schedules, and designated lactation rooms.
4. Community Support: In order to normalize breastfeeding, a strong community support network must be established. Peer counselors, community gatherings, and moms’ support groups can all offer encouragement, help people feel less alone, and give advice.
5. Regulation of Baby Food Marketing: Ads that are deceptive and discourage breastfeeding can be stopped by strict regulations on the marketing of baby food. Governments must prioritize and enforce measures to protect the breastfeeding rights of mothers and babies.
Breastfeeding is an unparalleled act of love and care that lays the foundation for a healthier society. By breaking barriers and promoting breastfeeding as a national public health priority, we can empower mothers to make informed choices for their children’s health and well-being. In order to create an environment that supports breastfeeding as the ideal method of child nourishment, it is imperative that governments, healthcare institutions, communities, and individuals work together. Only then can we ensure a brighter, healthier future for generations to come.

The writer, Lucy Chege, is a registered and licensed nutritionist based in Kenya, proficient in medical nutrition therapy.

Twitter: @LucyChegeM
August 7, 2023
Healthy food choices for adolescents

Kenya has made a significant stride as it officially introduced its 1st Kenya Adolescent Health Survey and Community Handbook last Friday.

Adolescents aged between 10-19 from 44 counties were surveyed in the research conducted by the Ministry of Health’s Division of Adolescents and School Health (DASH), emphasizing the importance of prioritizing their well-being.

Adolescents need proper diet to support their physical and mental development as well as overall health.

To encourage a healthier future, it is essential to emphasize the need for appropriate nutrition in Kenya, where teenagers make up a sizeable section of the population.

In this article, we are going to explore the importance of teenage nutrition and discuss important dietary choices for Kenyan youth to have the best possible health.

The Unique Nutritional Needs of Adolescents- Physically and intellectually, adolescence is a time of fast growth and development. During this crucial time, a person’s diet is extremely important in maintaining their health in the following ways:

1. Physical Growth: To support the adolescent growth spurt, an adequate diet of macronutrients such as proteins, carbs, and healthy fats is required. These nutrients serve as the building blocks for growing organs, muscles, and bones.

2. Micronutrient Requirements: To support their developing bodies, adolescents’ nutritional needs for vitamins and minerals are higher. Iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 are important micronutrients to pay attention to. These vitamin deficiencies can cause problems like anemia, reduced bone health, a weaker immune system, and delayed cognitive development.

3. Cognitive Function: Academic performance and cognitive function are intimately related to proper diet. Omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and B vitamins are among the nutrients that are especially crucial for boosting memory, focus, and general cognitive capacities.

4. Hormonal Balance: Adolescent hormonal changes can affect body composition, energy expenditure, and appetite. A balanced diet supports healthy weight management and keeps hormones in check.

Dietary Considerations for Optimal Adolescent Nutrition in Kenya:

The following dietary considerations are essential for adolescents in Kenya to follow to ensure they receive adequate nutrition for the best health:

1. Balanced Meals: Encourage adolescents to consume a well-balanced diet consisting of whole grains, lean proteins (such as beans, poultry, and fish), fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. This guarantees they receive a range of important nutrients required for growth and development.

2. Iron-Rich Foods: During adolescence, iron-deficiency anemia is a frequent cause for concern. To support healthy red blood cell production, encourage the consumption of iron-rich foods like lean meats, legumes, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals.

3. Calcium for Strong Bones: For the best bone health, it’s important to consume enough calcium. To get calcium and support strong bones, consume dairy products, fortified plant-based milk substitutes, leafy greens, and small fish with edible bones (like sardines).

4. Vitamin D Sources: The abundance of sunshine provides an opportunity for natural vitamin D synthesis. Encourage outdoor activities to promote exposure to sunlight, which helps the body produce vitamin D. Additionally, include dietary sources like fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods.

5. Hydration: Proper hydration is often overlooked but is crucial for overall health. Encourage adolescents to drink sufficient water throughout the day and limit the intake of sugary beverages.

6. Healthy Snacking: Promote nutritious snacking options like fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, yogurt, and homemade snacks to replace unhealthy processed snacks. This will help provide essential nutrients while reducing excessive intake of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.

7. Education and Awareness: Emphasize the importance of nutrition education for both adolescents and their parents. Schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations can play an important role in providing nutrition education, promoting healthy eating habits, and dispelling myths surrounding adolescent nutrition.

Investing in adolescent nutrition in Kenya is a pathway to nurturing a healthier and brighter future for the nation.

By addressing the unique nutritional needs of adolescents and promoting healthy eating habits, we can support physical growth, cognitive development, and overall well-being.

Through collaborative efforts between families, schools, healthcare providers, and policymakers, we can empower Kenyan youth to make informed dietary choices and lay a foundation for a healthier and prosperous tomorrow.

Lucy Chege is a registered and licensed nutritionist based in Kenya, proficient in medical nutrition therapy.

Twitter: @LucyChegeM

July 17, 2023