Kenya’s Ministry of Health launches the 7th National Nutrition Week

On 27 October 2015, the Kenyan Ministry of Health, with support from partners, held a launch event in Nairobi to open Kenya’s 7th National Nutrition Week. The 2015 theme for the week was “THE RIGHT TO GOOD NUTRITION: What are your rights?” At the event,…

November 2, 2015 - Last update: February 10, 2023

On 27 October 2015, the Kenyan Ministry of Health, with support from partners, held a launch event in Nairobi to open Kenya’s 7^th National Nutrition Week. The 2015 theme for the week was “THE RIGHT TO GOOD NUTRITION: What are your rights?”

At the event, Doctor Jackson Kioko, Head of the Department of Preventive and Promotive Health services in the Ministry of Health shared that a lack of proper nutrition and adequate food has contributed to 11 per cent of children below the age of five to be underweight. Dr Kioko challenged stakeholders to be part of the fight against malnutrition in the country declaring nutrition as not only a health issue but a social issue too.

WHO Representative in Kenya Custodia Mandlhate (left) and Department of Preventive and Promotive Health head Jackson Kioko at the launch of the Nutrition and HIV Survey report at the Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi on October 27, 2015. PHOTO | ROBERT NGUGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Gladys Mugambi, Head of the Nutrition and Dietetics Unit and SUN Government Focal Point, applauded the fact that 61% of mothers around the country are now breastfeeding their newborn babies for the first 6 months.

Senator Health Committee Chairman Mohamed Kuti said that he will champion a law that will seek to have all manufacturers label their food products giving details of the food products nutritional values to people.