UNICEF Report Reveals Malnutrition Crisis Among Children in Busia
The report highlights that a significant number of children under the age of five are both stunted and underweight
A recent report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that 15 percent of children under five years old in Busia County are suffering from stunted growth, largely due to malnutrition stemming from food insecurity.
The report highlights that a significant number of children under the age of five are both stunted and underweight, underscoring the urgent need for nutritional interventions in the region.
County Launches School Feeding Program to Address Malnutrition
In response, the County Government of Busia has introduced an ambitious school feeding program aimed at combating child malnutrition among Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) learners.
Dubbed OTUOMA NUTRI-CARE, the program is designed to provide a hot, nutritious meal daily to over 50,000 ECDE learners across more than 460 public education centres. The initiative seeks to meet the children’s daily nutritional requirements and reduce acute forms of malnutrition.
Governor Otuoma: “We Must Protect Our Children’s Future”
Speaking during the launch, Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma expressed concern over the report’s findings, stating,
“Imagine more than 10 percent of children born in Busia are starting their lives very disadvantaged because of food. This underscores the importance of a school feeding program for our ECDE learners,”
Dr. Otuoma noted that providing meals will not only improve the health of young learners but also boost school enrollment and retention rates.
Linking Agriculture to Nutrition: Supporting Local Farmers
Governor Otuoma further announced that the County will create linkages with local rice farmers in Budalang’i through the Ward-Based Economic Revitalization Programme to ensure a sustainable supply of food for the feeding program.
“We must support the local cooperatives that are producing very healthy organic rice in Budalang’i and equally stabilize rice prices to avoid exploitation of our farmers, with guaranteed minimum returns,”
he emphasized, adding that they have partnered with the Magombe Multi-purpose Cooperative Society and Bumamu Rice Farmers to supply rice at fair prices for the program.
Additionally, the County plans to venture into rice value addition in Bunyala to prevent losses, as most of the raw rice is currently sold cheaply to Ugandan buyers.
Farmers Applaud County Support
Berry Susan, an official at the Magombe Multi-purpose Cooperative Society, praised the County’s support, noting that the partnership has transformed farmers’ fortunes.
“Last year, we supplied 72 tonnes of rice, and this year, so far, we have distributed 61 tonnes at a good price of Sh60 per kilogram, compared to brokers’ prices of Sh30 per kilogram,”
she said. Susan added that the society has also enhanced services to farmers, including value addition, ploughing, and transportation.
Positive Impact on School Enrollment and Attendance
Headteachers hosting ECDE learners have lauded the school feeding program, citing notable improvements in attendance and enrollment.
Rev. Peter Iganga, Headteacher at Mujuru Primary School in Matayos Constituency, stated,
“We want to appreciate what the County Government has done in the school feeding program for our ECDE learners. It has improved lesson attendance, and the children are very happy to receive meals regularly.”
John Nyongesa, Chairperson of the Board of Management at Igero Primary School, echoed these sentiments:
“Since the roll-out, we have noticed its instant impact in attracting learners to attend school daily, reducing absenteeism cases and improving enrollment.”
Busia and Makueni Selected as Model Counties by UNICEF
UNICEF has selected Busia County, alongside Makueni County, as pioneer areas for rolling out model institutions for the ECDE school feeding program. The initiative aims to address multiple challenges, including nutrition, enrollment, absenteeism, and learner retention, by bringing together all ECDE stakeholders.
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