World Vision Kenya's Nutrition, Food Assistance and WASH Interventions Improve Malnutrition Indicators for 113,294 People in Kitui and Tana River Counties

Integrated Health Outreach service ongoing at Tsavo, Kasaala in Kitui South Subcounty targets children under 5 years. © World Vision Photo/Jared Ontobo
Friday, November 15, 2024

"I feel I am employed, even though I don't have a payslip because I receive Ksh 11,200 every two months from World Vision Kenya," says Rachael Kanini, a Kenya Integrated Emergency Response Project (KIERP) participant from Tseikuru Ward, Kitui County. She has invested in goats and chickens, providing nutritional products like milk and eggs for her children.

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) 2022 drought report, Kenya's Arid and Semi-Arid Lands faced severe drought due to climate change, particularly affecting children and pregnant mothers' nutrition in Kitui and Tana River counties.

World Vision Kenya, supported by USAID-Bureau for Humanitarian Affairs (USAID-BHA), launched KIERP to address high malnutrition rates, targeting malnourished children, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and people with disabilities affected by drought.

Racheal Kanini and her husband attended a World Vision-organised KIERP Focused Group Discussion in Musavani, Tseikuru Ward, and Mwingi North Sub-County in Kitui County. Photo: Jared Ontobo/World Vision Kenya 2024.
Racheal Kanini and her husband attend a World Vision-organised KIERP Focused Group Discussion in Musavani, Tseikuru Ward, and Mwingi North Sub-County in Kitui County. © World Vision Photo/Jared Ontobo

The project provided integrated support through Nutrition, Water Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), and Cash Transfers. World Vision partnered with counties to conduct mass screening of children and expectant mothers using the Last Mile Mobile Solution and Community-Based Targeting approach.

Laria Ahmed, the KIERP Project participant attends the Integrated Health Outreach at Lakole Community in Tana River County. Photo: Jared Ontobo/World Vision Kenya 2024.
Laria Ahmed, a KIERP Project participant attends the Integrated Health Outreach at Lakole Community in Tana River County. © World Vision Photo/Jared Ontobo

Targeted families received Ksh 11,200 every two months through Cash Transfers. Participants like Purity Hannah invested in nutritious meals, poultry, and goats. "My child was severely malnourished but because of this project, my child is now doing well thanks to World Vision and USAID-BHA," she shares.

The project's key achievements include:

  • Implementation of father-to-father and mother-to-mother support groups promoting family planning and prenatal care

  • Integrated community outreaches providing immunization and screening services

  • Construction of over 3,000 new latrines and 9,000 handwashing facilities

  • Distribution of 1.6 million P&G water treatment chemicals

  • Provision of filter cloth, buckets, and jerricans for water treatment and storage

  • Distribution of liquid handwashing soap to promote hygiene

County Nutrition Coordinators Makoba Omari and Lydia Mbithi credit the improved nutrition indicators to integrated community outreach programs. "The Community Management of Acute Malnutrition case finding and the use of the MUAC has improved, reducing the defaulter rate of severe acute malnutrition," notes Lydia.

The KIERP project benefited 133,294 participants across both counties: 35,746 girls, 31,444 women, 36,555 boys, and 29,549 men, enhancing their economic empowerment and resilience to climate change.

By Jared Ontobo, Emergency Communications Specialist, World Vision Kenya