KEMRI pushes for malnutrition screening using new tool, data-driven action

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is pushing for wider malnutrition screening and adoption of data at the community level for policy interventions, using a newly developed tool.

The introduction of an enhanced Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) screening tool capable of detecting both undernutrition and overnutrition, unlike conventional MUAC tapes that mainly target undernutrition in children under five.

Malnutrition, according to KEMRI researchers, affects a larger population, but remains a silent topic, only associated with children.

Director Research and Development at KEMRI, Dr Erick Muok, said malnutrition as it determined development and growth of a child, averting diseases.

Malnutrition, he said, is unfortunately viewed to be a concern in children, but the entire population is highly affected, more so wth food insecurity.

"Despite having more cases of malnutrition, screening for malnutrition is done at the facility level. Children who have good nutrition respond easily to treatment," said the researcher. 

Cases of malnutrition, he said, are being witnessed across the country, in all ages.

He said individuals who suffer from malnutrition are predisposed to diseases because of low immunity.

Speaking during the World Health Summit Regional Meeting 2026, KEMRI researchers and partners said malnutrition remains a growing public health challenge that can only be addressed through early screening, community engagement and evidence-based policy action.

Githinji Gitahi, Group Chief Executive Officer at Amref Health Africa, said nutrition interventions should not be treated as facility-based services alone but must begin at the household and community level.

“When we work closely with partners, we must ensure our activities begin at the community level. Primary healthcare starts with community awareness and engagement because prevention begins in the household,” said Gitahi

He noted that nutrition is often narrowly viewed as a hospital or clinic issue, yet it is deeply linked to household practices, food choices and awareness.

“We should not look at nutrition as only a facility-based intervention. Nutrition must be understood as a household and community intervention,” he said.

Gitahi added that addressing malnutrition requires a multisectoral approach involving agriculture, education, sanitation, food systems and public policy.

The official added, “Malnutrition is connected to multiple sectors. All these areas are critically important if we are to address them effectively and sustainably.”

Addressing stakeholders, he outlined three key pillars needed to fight malnutrition, namely community awareness and engagement, multisectoral action and policy, and people-centred primary healthcare.

At the same time, Muoka said data generated from communities should not remain as raw numbers but must be translated into evidence that informs action.
 
The institute is also calling for better use of nutrition data collected at household, school, community and health facility levels to guide government planning, budgeting and interventions.

“Data must move from the grassroots level to government decision-making spaces. Information collected at household, school, community and health facility levels should support planning, budgeting and action,” said Muok.

According to the researcher, stronger linkages between researchers and policymakers are necessary to ensure research findings influence national nutrition policies.

“When data is clearly interpreted, decision-makers can understand where the gaps are, what interventions are working, and where more investment is needed,” he added.

Muok noted that proper nutrition in childhood has long-term benefits, including improved growth, cognitive development, better learning outcomes and reduced pressure on health systems.

“When children grow well and receive proper nutrition, they are more likely to develop faster, learn better, become productive and live healthier lives,” he said.

In Siaya County, a pilot project implemented through collaboration between KEMRI and the county government has already shown promising results.

According to Oscar Kambona from Siaya County, a study initially focused on malaria and climate change among over 3,000 households found malnutrition to be a major overlapping challenge.

Previously, 221 Community Health Promoters were using ordinary MUAC tapes targeting undernutrition only. The new tool now captures both forms of malnutrition, including among adolescents.

“In Siaya, over 1.5 per cent of screened children were found to have overnutrition. We miss a lot when using ordinary tape measures,” said Kambona.

The tool has since been cascaded from the community level to health facilities, enabling faster screening of approximately 147,000 children under five and 40,000 adolescents.

“When Community Health Promoters take measurements at the household level, it increases contact with families and fast-tracks referral services using Ministry of Health reporting tools,” he said.

Partners are now looking to expand screening to school-going children aged five to 17 years.

To boost scale-up screening of malnutrition, Amref Health Africa is working closely chools, teachers, health workers and Community Health Promoters (CHPs). 

“We are looking at early identification of malnutrition and continuity of care through schools and health facilities,” said Amref Health Africa Program manager, Sarah Kosgei.

The programme will initially start in high-burden counties, including Kitui County and Kilifi County, before being expanded across the country. 

She added that training teachers, CHPs and strengthening data systems will be critical to ensure decisions on nutrition interventions and budget allocation are evidence-based.

“We want this to be data-driven, from grassroots to national level, so that research translates into action and informs government investment,” said Kosgei.

Additionally, stakeholders emphasised that stronger community awareness, continuous screening and government ownership will be essential for sustainability.

“We need communities to identify their pressing nutrition challenges and work with governments to create lasting solutions,” added Kosgei.