Nyandarua county is making another effort at ending malnutrition problem among its residents by coming up with a five-year county action plan.

 The County Nutrition Action Plan (CNAP) 2023-2028 is in the validation stage, according to the Chief Officer for Public Health and Solid Waste Management Josephine Muiru.

 Development of the Plan is being supported by CARE International Kenya chapter and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) through “Catalyzing Strengthened Policy Action for Healthy Diets and Resilience” project that is being implemented in three counties – Nyandarua, Nairobi and Nakuru.

Food basket

 The project aims at helping the three counties implement effective policies and legislation to improve their nutrition status.

“The CNAP aims at improving food security while contributing to the reduction of malnutrition among women of reproductive age and children under five across the county,” said Muiru.

 Nyandarua, which is referred to as the food basket for neighbouring counties because it produces a lot of cabbages, carrots and potatoes consumed in those devolved units, shocked people after it was found to have a high percentage of children suffering from malnutrition and stunted growth.

The County’s stunted growth rate is higher than the national rate. The stunting rate nationally is at 26 percent against Nyandarua’s 30 percent. “We have enough food but our children are not growing to the right height, because the foods are not of the right quality.

“The County is the largest producer of potatoes and second in milk production as well as vegetables, yet our children are not getting quality foods,” said the Country Nutrition Coordinator Paul Migwi.

 Among past efforts by the County to mitigate malnutrition and stunted growth included introduction of free milk to nursery school children by the immediate past government. The efforts did not make much impact.