Malnutrition blamed for poor performance in Kwale schools

Senior health officials in Kinango, Kwale County, have attributed the poor performance in the county’s schools to malnutrition.

Sheikh Abubakar Omar, the county secretary of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya and the health officials expressed concern over the high rate of malnutrition and urged mothers to breast feed their babies exclusively for the recommended period of six months.

He called for the establishment of non-governmental organisations in Kinango which will help fight malnutrition from an early age.

Sheikh Omar was speaking during a workshop on nutrition organised by the International Committee for the Development of People (CISP),

According to him, 55 per cent of children in the area suffer from malnutrition.

“As leaders in this sub-county, it is paramount that we emphasise on proper feeding. Kwale has been affected by drought and children are bearing the brunt (of it). We have been advised to let mothers breastfeed children up to six months,” Sheikh Omar said.

Margaret Kimeu, the sub-county’s nutrition officer, identified stunted growth and being underweight as major health problems affecting children in the area.

“We must advocate for nutritious meals in schools and religious places of worship.

“We should do away with taboos prohibiting expectant mothers from eating certain foods,” she said.

Angela Kithua, a nutritionist with CISP, urged the Kwale County government to employ more nutritionists to curb the current deficit which stands at 69.

She urged county assembly members to come up with nutrition Bills and lobby for funding.