Nutrition experts are raising the alarm over hidden hunger within Kenya’s urban informal settlements, cautioning that many slum residents suffer from micronutrient deficiencies even when calorie intake appears adequate. According to a working paper by the African Cities Research Consortium, living conditions in Nairobi’s low-income settlements create a perfect storm of poor diet quality, food insecurity, and limited access to healthy foods — all of which contribute to widespread deficiencies among women and children.
One major concern is the very high rate of anemia: a study involving children under five in Nairobi slums found that nearly 60% of these children are anemic, with many lacking sufficient iron, vitamin A, and other essential micronutrients. Experts attribute this to a combination of infrequent consumption of nutrient-rich foods and poor sanitation, which increases infection risk and reduces nutrient absorption.
Adding to the problem, urban poor households often rely on cheap, energy-dense but nutrient-poor foods because they simply cannot afford fruits, vegetables, or fortified products. Food vendors in slums also operate in very unsanitary conditions, which raises the risk of foodborne illnesses — further limiting the benefits of whatever nutrients people do manage to get.
To address this crisis, nutritionists are calling for a multi-pronged approach:
Scaling up micronutrient supplementation and food fortification programs targeted at informal settlements.
Nutrition education tailored for slum contexts, helping people make better food choices even under tight budgets.
Improving food environments, including supporting urban agriculture (e.g., kitchen gardens) and regulating street food quality.
Strengthening WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) systems — because better hygiene can reduce infection burden and improve nutrient absorption.