By Lorraine Anyango.
The County Government of Kisumu, in collaboration with various stakeholders, is currently convening an end-term review of the Kisumu County Nutrition Action Plan (KCNAP) 2021-2023. The five-day meeting, in Bungoma County, aims to assess the plan’s implementation, identify successes, and challenges, and chart a course for the next phase.
The KCNAP, with its vision of a malnutrition-free Kisumu County, has been instrumental in addressing the triple burden of malnutrition. The plan’s implementation has led to significant progress, as evidenced by the latest Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) 2022.
Key objectives of the review included:
- Assessing the contributions of various ministries and stakeholders to key results
- Documenting successes, best practices, interventions, and lessons learned
- Developing a county nutrition situation analysis
- Identifying priorities for the next KCNAP (2023-2027)
A diverse group of participants, including representatives from line ministries, County and national government, academia, and partner organizations such as Kidogo Early Years, ACK Development Services (ADS) Nyanza, Kmet Kenya, Maseno University and CHAMPS are attending the review which is supported by Helen Keller International (HKI).HKI, which has been active in Kisumu for the past three years, has implemented Vitamin A and deworming interventions through community and Early Childhood Development (ECD) platforms. These efforts have been crucial in improving the health of vulnerable populations, particularly young children, by addressing micronutrient deficiencies and parasitic infections.
As the current KCNAP nears its conclusion, the county is poised to embark on a new phase of nutrition action. The insights gained from the end-term review will be invaluable in developing a comprehensive and effective KCNAP 2023-2027, aligned with national and global health priorities.
