Concern over high malnutrition rates in West Pokot

Increased cases of malnutrition in West Pokot County have been attributed to food insecurity.

The malnutrition rate in the region still stands at 45.9 per cent and is above the national figure of 35 per cent. County administration has been urged to adopt a multi-sectoral approach by allocating more funds to reverse the trend.

Civil society organisations in the region describe the situation as a crisis, saying steps should be taken to prevent deaths.

According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2014, the county is leading in malnutrition as a result of food insecurity.

Francis Soprin, the Kapenguria Theatre Group board chairperson yesterday said the county should budget for programmes geared towards reducing malnutrition challenges. 

He called on county administration to allocate more funds to nutritional programmes to reduce malnutrition cases.

“Many children are affected by malnutrition while others have died. We should step up programmes to address this challenge and promote good health among children,” he said during a stakeholders’ meeting by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Organisation.

Leah Chebitwey, the director of Pokot Women Empowerment Organisation said NGOs need support to manage the situation.

“We need to have collective responsibility to avert the problem.”