Kenya Takes a Giant Leap Toward Food Systems-Based Dietary Guidelines

Kenya Takes a Giant Leap Toward Food Systems-Based Dietary Guidelines

What if the food on your plate could be guided by science, culture, sustainability, and affordability — all at once? That is precisely what Kenya is building. From 12–15 May 2026, a multi-disciplinary team of nutrition scientists, policy experts, academics, and development partners gathered at Oleken Hotel, Nakuru, for the most technically intensive session yet in the development of Kenya's first-ever Food Systems-Based Dietary Guidelines (FSBDGs). FOLU Kenya, operating through GAIN Kenya, is proud to be a convening and coordinating partner in this transformative process.
I-CAN Policy Brief: Unlocking Kenya’s Potential for Health, Resilience, and Inclusive Growth

I-CAN Policy Brief: Unlocking Kenya’s Potential for Health, Resilience, and Inclusive Growth

- 06/02/2026

Climate change and malnutrition are deeply intertwined challenges in Kenya, where climate related shocks continue to threaten food systems, health services, and vulnerable populations. This policy brief summarizes f indings f rom a rapid assessment of 27 national policies and key stakeholder interviews, conducted to support the I-CAN initiative. The analysis reveals uneven climate–nutrition integration across sectors, with strong implementation f rameworks in some policies but persistent gaps in coordination, data systems, and f inancing. Overreliance on donor funding, limited engagement of diverse stakeholders, and underutilized governance structures further hinder progress. At the same time, there are clear opportunities to strengthen policy alignment, institutional reform, cross-sector collaboration, and stakeholder inclusion to build a more resilient and nutrition-secure Kenya.
African Day of School Feeding & International School Meals Day​ 2026

African Day of School Feeding & International School Meals Day​ 2026

- Global

GAIN marks African Day of School Feeding and International School Meals Day, using these moments to highlight how school meals can improve nutrition, learning outcomes, and local food systems when designed with quality, equity, and sustainability in mind.
Kenya’s Progress In Reducing Child Stunting

Kenya’s Progress In Reducing Child Stunting

- 08/09/2025

Stunting is a major concern in Eastern Africa, where nearly 1 in 3 children under 5, about 22.6 million, are affected (UNICEF, WHO, Worldbank, 2023). In Kenya, the prevalence has declined to approximately one in five children (18%), outperforming the regional average of 31.6%. However, this still represents more than 1.2 million children at risk (KNBS, Ministry of Health, ICF, 2023). The consequences are far-reaching; stunting contributes to child mortality, vulnerability, and lifelong impairments in physical growth and cognitive development, impacting both individual well-being and national productivity. In Kenya, child undernutrition, including stunting as a key component, is estimated to cost the economy KES 374 billion (approximately USD 4.2 billion) annually, equivalent to 6.9% of the GDP (Government of Kenya, 2019). Stunting, a persistent form of long-term nutritional deprivation, acts as a silent driver of inequality, limiting opportunities, lowering future earnings and reducing the potential to contribute equally to the economy. Yet the returns on investment in nutrition are high, with every dollar yielding up to $22 in economic benefit. (Eberwein, et al., 2016)
Vegetables for Health and Prosperity: Mary Wamuyu’s Journey to Nourish Her Community

Vegetables for Health and Prosperity: Mary Wamuyu’s Journey to Nourish Her Community

Mary Wamuyu Gathemia, a 41-year-old mother of two, runs a vibrant vegetable stall in Muthumi Village, Muguga Ward, Kabete Sub-County, Kiambu County. For years, Mary operated a small general shop selling household items and a few groceries. However, her shop struggled to break even, and she was on the verge of closing it to focus on being a housewife.
GAIN Kenya and UNICEF Partner to Improve Nutrition for the Most Vulnerable

GAIN Kenya and UNICEF Partner to Improve Nutrition for the Most Vulnerable

GAIN Kenya is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UNICEF Kenya to strengthen efforts to improve access to nutritious, safe, and sustainable foods for the most vulnerable. This strategic partnership underscores a shared commitment to addressing malnutrition and shaping healthier food environments for children, adolescents, and families in Kenya. The MOU was officially signed on 24th June 2025.
Food Systems Countdown Initiative Country Policy Brief Kenya

Food Systems Countdown Initiative Country Policy Brief Kenya

- 25/07/2025

Kenya’s engagement in food systems transformation reflects a strong policy commitment and growing political will to address persistent food and nutrition security challenges. This ambition is evident in progressive national frameworks such as the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy (2011), Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (2019–2029), Agricultural Soils Management Policy (2023), and the newly launched National Agroecology Strategy for Food System Transformation (2024–2033). These strategies are aligned with global and regional commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation, and the Malabo Declaration on comprehensive African agricultural development, signalling Kenya’s intention to lead in advancing climateresilient and equitable food systems.
Science in Action: Why Science Must Lead Kenya’s Food Safety Agenda

Science in Action: Why Science Must Lead Kenya’s Food Safety Agenda

Every morning in Nairobi’s informal settlements, thousands of mothers head to the local market, searching for fresh vegetables to feed their families. For many, affordability is a top concern—but so is safety. Mary, a mother of three, recalls the time her youngest fell ill after a meal of sukuma wiki (kales). The vegetables had looked fine, but invisible risks like pesticide residues or poor handling were the real culprits. Across the City, 27-year-old Joseph joins dozens of young men at a construction site, hoping to earn enough to make it through the week. With limited pay and rising costs of living, lunch often comes from a nearby kibanda—a roadside kiosk offering fast, affordable meals. It’s filling and convenient, but rarely is the question asked: Is the food safe?