kenya-health-summit clinical-nutrition public-health

Kenya Health Summit

July 17, 2026

Stephen Ndung'u, RDN

SN

Stephen Mutuiri Ndung'u, RDN

Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian · AfyaPlate KE Founder

Stephen is a practicing Kenyan RDN and the founder of AfyaPlate KE — the only clinical nutrition SaaS platform built on the Kenya Food Composition Tables (KFCT 2018). He writes about clinical nutrition, local food science, and public health challenges across East Africa.

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Opinion: Clinical Nutritionists Must Drive Policy Changes at Kenya Health Summit

As the Kenya Health Summit approaches, it's imperative that clinical nutritionists take center stage in driving policy changes. The current healthcare landscape in Kenya is plagued by a lack of emphasis on preventive care, with a disproportionate focus on curative measures.

The State of Clinical Nutrition in Kenya

According to a study by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), approximately 50% of Kenyans suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, with iron deficiency being the most prevalent. This is a clear indication that our current healthcare policies are not adequately addressing the nutritional needs of our population.

The Role of Clinical Nutritionists

Clinical nutritionists are uniquely positioned to drive policy changes due to their expertise in preventive care. By leveraging evidence-based research and data, they can inform policymakers on the most effective strategies for addressing the nutritional needs of Kenyans.

Key Takeaways

Approximately 50% of Kenyans suffer from micronutrient deficiencies (KEMRI study)
Iron deficiency is the most prevalent micronutrient deficiency in Kenya (KEMRI study)
Clinical nutritionists must drive policy changes to address nutritional needs of Kenyans For Kenyan nutritionists managing multiple patients with these conditions — AfyaPlate has a specific clinical profile for it, pre-configured with evidence-based targets from Kenya NCG 2022. afyaplate.com Always consult a registered nutritionist for personalised dietary advice.

nairobi health conference Photo by Pesa Onesmus on Unsplash