New Survey Shows Malnutrition Rates Dropping

A recent nutrition report reveals encouraging progress in Kenya’s fight against undernutrition, with the stunting rate among children under five decreasing from 26% in 2014 to 18% in 2022, according to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey. Health officials say this decline is a clear sign that long-term investments in food security, child feeding practices, and public health are paying off.
More locally, a county-level SMART survey in Turkana County has shown substantial improvements in acute malnutrition. The county’s Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate dropped from 26.4% in June 2023 to 21.8% in June 2024, with some sub-counties like Turkana South recording notable declines. Officials attribute this progress to better rainfall, increased humanitarian support, and stronger community-level nutrition programmes.
However, experts caution against complacency. A recent Nutrition Situation Overview indicates that 800,202 children aged 6–59 months still require treatment for acute malnutrition, a rise from 760,488 the previous year — suggesting that malnutrition remains a serious, ongoing challenge. What’s more, Kenya continues to face a triple burden of malnutrition: undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and rising overweight/obesity among adults.
Nutritionists are urging sustained, multisectoral action to maintain momentum: expanding access to healthy foods, improving water and sanitation (WASH) services, and strengthening nutrition education in communities. They argue that only by addressing all the root causes of malnutrition can Kenya secure lasting gains — especially for its most vulnerable populations.