Kenya risks losing Sh200b over malnutrition

By Ally Jamah

Kenya may lose Sh200 billion by 2015 if the country does not tackle high rates of malnutrition among children.

The Sh200 billion computed in terms of lost economic productivity, covers the period between 2007 and 2015. This includes Sh96 billion for lost productivity, Sh80 billion for child stunting and Sh24 billion for iodine insufficiency.

According to 2009 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, more than 35 per cent of children below five years are stunted since they don’t have enough food to eat while 16 per cent are underweight. A significant seven per cent have wasted muscles due to poor nutrition.

"This is a big crisis that is not receiving sufficient attention. Too many of our children are not reaching their potential since they are not having enough nutritious food," said Terry Wefwafwa, Head of Nutrition at the Ministry of Public Health and sanitation. She spoke as Kenya joined the continent in marking the African Food and Nutritional Security Day.

Stunted children are often too short for their age and have learning difficulties due to poor brain development.

After two years, the effects of stunting such as depressed brain function and learning abilities are irreversible.

In response, the Government is set to unveil a new Food and Nutritional Security policy that will, among other things, compel millers of wheat and maize to fortify their products with essential vitamins and minerals.

"We will be looking at possibilities of giving tax breaks to millers to import vitamins and minerals to be used in the fortification process. We want the food taken by the majority of Kenyans to be packed with nutrients," said Gladys Mugambi of the Ministry of Public Health.

The policy, approved by the Cabinet in July this year, will also see strategic food reserves go beyond key grains like wheat and maize to include milk and tubers.

Minister for Public Health and Sanitation Beth Mugo said the Government is scaling up 11 "high-impact" nutritional interventions that include breastfeeding, supplementation of Vitamin A, iron and folate, management of acute malnutrition and food fortification

"Achieving food and nutritional security is a prerequisite to eradicating poverty, child malnutrition and maternal mortality. It is the foundation of national economic growth," she said in a speech read by Dr Ibrahim Head, Head of Disaster Management in the ministry.