Nutrition Programs Improve Growth in Arid Counties

Nutrition experts and government officials report promising gains in child growth in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid (ASAL) counties, attributing much of the progress to targeted multi-sector nutrition programmes. The Nutrition Improvement through Cash and Health Education (NICHE) initiative, recently rolled out in counties such as Turkana, Marsabit, West Pokot, Isiolo, Kitui, and Kilifi, is providing cash transfers and nutrition education to pregnant mothers and children under three — a group that has historically borne the brunt of food insecurity.
Complementing NICHE, other community-driven efforts are making headway. In Turkana County, a study showed that integrating local dietary practices with capacity building has helped communities start home gardens and self-help nutrition groups. Similarly, Amref Health Africa’s One Health (OHEAL) project in Isiolo is mobilising mother‑to‑mother support groups, promoting climate-resilient crops, and linking indigenous knowledge with maternal nutrition — all of which are boosting food security and growth outcomes.
These improvements are reflected in national nutrition assessments. According to the latest Kenya Nutrition Situation Overview, some previously hard-hit areas have recorded reductions in acute malnutrition levels, partly due to better food availability from recent good rainfall, increased milk stocks, and sustained intervention efforts. However, the report also warns that many ASAL counties remain under stress, with persistent malnutrition fueled by recurrent shocks, limited health services, and weak household feeding practices.
Looking forward, stakeholders are calling for a sustained, integrated strategy to deepen these gains. This includes scaling up education on infant and young child feeding, strengthening social protection like cash transfers, investing in drought‑resilient agriculture, and supporting local innovation platformsThey argue that by reinforcing nutrition systems at the grassroots level and respecting community norms, Kenya can continue to drive down child malnutrition in its most vulnerable regions.