In a bold move to combat persistent child malnutrition and food insecurity, Uasin Gishu County is collaborating with partners to initiate and improve school feeding programs to support its youngest learners.
According to the 2023 Uasin Gishu County Statistical Abstract, approximately 40,000 children are enrolled in about 674 public pre-primary schools. Despite this commendable enrollment rate, many of these young learners face the harsh realities of malnutrition and hunger, factors that threaten their growth, health, and academic potential.
Speaking during a multi-sectoral sensitisation meeting hosted by the Department of Health Services in partnership with Soy Afric Limited, Acting Director of Health Services Dr. Wenseslaus Kuria emphasised the importance of nutrition in early childhood development.
“A structured school feeding program can transform lives by ensuring that every child receives at least one nutritious meal daily. In doing so, we not only fight hunger but also boost learning outcomes and improve overall health,” said Dr. Kuria.
County Nutrition Coordinator AnnSusan Bett noted that, according to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022, Uasin Gishu’s stunting rate stands at 14 per cent.
“Malnutrition—whether undernutrition or overnutrition—can be prevented at an early age through nutrition education and sensitisation on proper diets,” she added.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders from the health, education, and agriculture sectors, marking a unified push toward sustainable interventions for child well-being. Other areas of collaboration identified included the development of ready markets for maize, sorghum, soya, and beans, as well as the need for high-quality raw materials for processing fish and dairy feeds (DOC and full-fat soya).
Winfred Kaptui, a representative from Soy Afric Limited, concluded the event by leading the team in cooking demonstrations using fortified food varieties that are highly recommended for children under five years.
