Improving diets of young children in the context of household nutrition in urban Kenya
30 Sept 2025 – This policy brief, produced by CISL and Dalberg Research, examines factors shaping food consumption behaviours among urban households with children aged 6–23 months and highlights strategies to improve diets of young children as urbanisation proceeds in Kenya.
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About
Despite strong policy commitments, less than one third of children aged 6–23 months receive nutritionally adequate diets in Kenya. Consumer research among low and middle income households reveals that household food purchases and consumption behaviours are driven by affordability, convenience, marketing, nutrition knowledge and aspirations.
Most households buy unbranded carbohydrate staples daily from local outlets based on available funds. Families aspire to feed young children dairy, flesh foods and instant cereals (advertised on TV and radio) but face barriers such as high costs and limited availability. However, fortified foods for young children are disproportionately expensive, and the suitability of common family breakfast cereals for children 6–23 months is unclear. There are also inconsistencies in nutrient labelling—particularly for packaged baby porridges and fortified flours—which make it difficult for consumers to make informed choices.
Urgent action is needed to improve access to affordable nutritious family foods and age-appropriate instant and fortified foods for young children alongside trusted nutrition information.
Citing this report
Nabwire, Florence, Nyongesa, Lorine, Schofield, Lilly, Njiru, James, Ooko, George, Nabade, Scholastic, Mwando, Rael, Omollo, Daniel, and Gosselt, Jasper (2025). Improving diets of young children in the context of household nutrition in urban Kenya: Insights from Busia Town and Kisumu City. Cambridge, UK; Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership