Busia: Busia County has launched two policy frameworks to address nutritional challenges and strengthen food systems. The policies, including the Busia County Nutrition Action Plan (CNAP) 2023/2024-2027/2028 and the County Agri-Nutrition Implementation Strategy (CANIS) 2023-2027, were rolled out in a major push to eliminate malnutrition across the county. Speaking during the launch at KALRO Alupe, Busia County CECM for agriculture Simplicius Mukok emphasized the importance of smart agricultural practices focused on producing nutritious crops. Mukok stated that the County leadership is investing in value chain crops with high nutritional value.
According to Kenya News Agency, Busia County Chief Officer for Health Services and Sanitation Susan Outa highlighted that nutrition is not only a health issue but also a cross-sectoral development priority. Outa noted that the second-generation CNAP builds on progress from its predecessor, which saw improvements such as reduced stunting rates, expanded vitamin A supplementation, and increased nutrition budgeting. She pointed out the persistent challenges of underfunding, poor data use, and vulnerability to emergencies like droughts and pandemics.
Outa further explained that CNAP II integrates nutrition into various sectors, including maternal and child health, education, agri-nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and emergency preparedness. She mentioned that CANIS complements CNAP by promoting climate-smart agriculture, indigenous food systems, and household kitchen gardens. Outa urged all departments to align their strategies with these plans, stressing that nutrition is a collective responsibility.
Busia County Director of Nutrition Scholastica Navade expressed that the policy documents will address multiple factors related to nutrition and assist community health promoters in advising the population on healthy food. Navade underscored the commitment to ending malnutrition in the county and emphasized the importance of food systems, data, and coordination in achieving this goal. She called for stakeholder support in the policy implementation process, advocating for nutrition to be a priority in budgets and strategies of supporting partners.