Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) through the Mama Link Project, has embarked on strengthening the capacity of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) with practical knowledge in nutrition, agriculture and household food production to support community-led solutions.
This initiative is driven by the realization that maternal and child malnutrition remains a complex challenge due to multiple factors which include; nutrition knowledge gaps, cultural food practices and changing dietary habits.
The project held a stakeholder meeting on Tuesday, June 28, 2026, at the Rural Initiatives Development Programme (RIDEP) in Tharaka South Sub-County, bringing together JKUAT, project partners, and sub-county officials from Agriculture and Health, with representation from nutrition, public health and community health services.
The meeting reviewed findings from a baseline survey conducted in March 2026 and identified priority areas for training and intervention during the project implementation period.
The Mama Link Project, launched in June 2025, is implemented by a consortium of five partners, including VIVES University of Applied Sciences, Belgium. JKUAT leads the project’s agriculture component, promoting an integrated approach that links sustainable food production, improved nutrition and livestock management to strengthen household food security and improve maternal and child nutrition.
Speaking during the meeting, the Mama Link Project Lead at JKUAT, Dr. Kaibui Mwikamba of the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (DARE), said CHPs are central to the project’s success because they are trusted members of the communities they serve and they provide a vital link between households and the health system.
He noted that the project adopts an intersectoral approach because addressing malnutrition requires coordinated action across agriculture, nutrition, livestock production and public health.
“The baseline survey was undertaken to generate evidence on the underlying factors contributing to malnutrition and to guide the development of practical, community-responsive training modules for CHPs,” said Dr. Kaibui.
During the discussions, Mr. Simon Nyaga, a Nutrionist at the sub-county, highlighted some of the nutrition challenges affecting communities, including cultural beliefs surrounding food, limited dietary diversity and changing consumption patterns. He observed that some families continue to rely on traditional food practices passed down through generations, while others increasingly consume processed foods.
Mr. Nyaga also noted that over-reliance on plant-based protein sources can affect the nutritional quality of diets, particularly among children, when essential nutrients required for growth are lacking.
He emphasized the need for improved nutrition awareness and broader community engagement, including reaching households that may not always be considered vulnerable.
Highlighting the critical role of CHPs in translating health interventions into community action, Mr. Stanley Mugambi, who coordinates the CHPs at the county, said, they are trained using Ministry of Health community health modules to provide household health education, collect community health data and submit reports to county public health offices, therefore serving as a critical link between health facilities and the community.
To further strengthen this frontline role, Dr. Florence Kyallo of JKUAT’s Department of Human Nutrition Sciences said, the project will equip Community Health Promoters with knowledge on maternal and child nutrition, food selection using locally available foods, and behaviour change strategies that promote healthier eating habits.
She noted that sustainable improvements in nutrition cannot be achieved overnight and must build on existing community knowledge while gradually addressing harmful beliefs and practices.
Dr. Kyallo added that working through CHPs increases the likelihood of lasting impact because they are trusted by the communities they serve and are well placed to reinforce positive behaviour change at household level.
Findings from the baseline survey, presented by Dr. Mathew Gicheha of JKUAT’s Department of Animal Science, will guide the development of the project’s training programme by identifying the knowledge and skills Community Health Promoters require to effectively support households throughout the project cycle.
The stakeholder meeting preceded a training workshop for 25 CHPs during which Dr. Kyallo facilitated sessions on household nutrition while Dr. Mwikamba trained participants on farm planning.
The training sought to strengthen the CHPs’ knowledge of both nutrition and agriculture. This will enable them to support households in improving food production, making informed dietary choices using locally available foods, therefor strengthening the connection between agriculture, nutrition and health in addressing maternal and child malnutrition.
