Nutrition International  is currently supporting the development of County Nutrition Action Plans (CNAPs) in Kenya. Part of this support is provided under its Nutrition Technical Assistance Mechanism (NTEAM)’s Technical Assistance for Nutrition (TAN) project, funded with UK aid from the UK Government which compliments other Nutrition International resources including the SUN UNOPS funds and the Right Start grant under the country office.

This support for CNAPs builds strategically on previous Nutrition International’s previous work under the TAN project in Kenya: an in-depth review of the Kenya 2012-2017 National Nutrition Action Plan, and the development of several components of the 2018-2022 National Nutrition Action Plan, namely it’s costing, financial tracking mechanism, monitoring & evaluation framework and analysis of the enabling environment.

Nutrition International prioritized supporting seven counties to develop CNAPs: Elgeyo Marakwet, Kajiado, Makueni, Tharaka Nithi, Busia, Vihiga and Nandi. This support kicked off in July 2019 at inception meetings in Makueni and Elgeyo Marakwet, and in August in Tharaka Nithi County, Nandi, and Vihiga. Nutrition International was involved both as a lead and as a participant throughout the process; Nutrition International staff (from the TAN project and country office) participated in writing workshops, validation meetings, while technical assistance providers facilitated the meetings. Partners who financially supported some activities included NHPplus for Busia and Tharaka Nithi. For all meetings, partners were drawn from UNICEF, System Enhancement for Transformative Health (SETH), Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), World Vision and Baraton University. This was followed by two workshops, in Nakuru and Meru, that brought together the seven different counties, followed by several additional meetings and workshops where stakeholders were able to:

• • Engage in the joint formulation of CNAPs
  • Learn best practices in CNAP development
  • Learn about key medium-term health priorities for use in CNAP development
  • Understand the proposed CNAP development process including key steps, outline and roles and responsibilities
  • Draft a roadmap of key milestones for the CNAP 2018-2023 development process

The support Nutrition International provided to the CNAP development increased the support and engagement of stakeholders across sectors in the seven counties for nutrition. The meeting participants were drawn from different line ministries and sectors in the counties, including agriculture, education, social sector and nutrition partners implementing programs in the counties. These teams were led by the health department, as that is where nutrition is domiciled in the country. The process has so far achieved its objectives, and the CNAPs should help mobilize resources for nutrition and foster synergy across multiple sectors in support of improved nutrition. In November 2019, the CNAPs were launched in four of the seven counties; providing a platform for further discussions with county Governors (highest level of office holders at county level) to discuss financing and resourcing for implementation of the CNAPs. Nutrition International met with Governors to discuss to mobilizing resources for nutrition for implementation of the CNAPs.

Read more about the CNAP launches

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