Kenya’s policy environment is good, however, there is a need to continue strengthening policy implementation for existing policies, regulations and guidelines, for example, the breast milk substitute regulation, implementation framework for the Food and Nutrition Security Policy, and the National Nutrition Action Plan, among others. Some policies are still in development, such as the workplace support bill and the food and nutrition security bill, which need further support. Expired policies, for example, the Kenya Nutrition Advocacy, Communication, and Social Mobilisation Strategy, will need to be reviewed and a new strategy developed.

Implementation of the KNAP and County Nutrition Action Plans (CNAP) is in an early stage and requires tracking tools and monitoring according to national priorities. The country has made progress in some nutrition targets, such as a wasting rate of less than 5 per cent and an exclusive breastfeeding rate above 50 per cent. However, there are disparities between counties, with some doing a lot worse than others.

With regard to financial tracking, Kenya has made progress in identifying gaps in relation to the implementation of the KNAP and CNAP. The costs and available financial resources for implementation are identified with their funding sources. Several SUN networks (the SUN Civil Society Alliance, SUN Business Network, academia and research partners) have identified priorities, annual plans and required resources. Action plans to track nutrition spending are being finalized and capacities to track nutrition investments need continuous enhancement.

The Nutrition Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee is functioning well and has been replicated at the county level. Each county has its own District Nutrition Technical Forum with terms of reference (TORs), which differ from county to county, but reflect the institutionalization of the structure in the nutrition sector’s government system. Further work is needed to implement the MSP’s recommended actions, such as the delays in addressing food security and food safety in the country. The United Nations Food Systems Summit dialogues at the country level showed the coordination and participation of various agencies and members of different networks.

Institutionalizing multisectoral coordination is a good practice. More than 12 counties received support to create TORs for the MSPs, which county executives validated and county executive members of the MSP Secretariat signed, ensuring the MSPs’ functioning even if there is a change of government.