According to media reports, in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL), approximately 27% of the population, or around 4.4 million people, face high levels of acute food insecurity. Child stunting rates in some counties reach 46%, while 43% of pregnant women suffer from anaemia, increasing the risk of maternal and infant health complications. Limited access to healthcare services further worsens these challenges, forcing many women to travel long distances to access essential maternal care.
Amref Health Africa, through the One Health (OHEAL) Project, is addressing these challenges by integrating nutrition, healthcare, climate adaptation, and economic empowerment to improve maternal and child health outcomes. One of the most impactful initiatives under OHEAL is the Multi-sector Innovation Platforms and Mother-to-Mother (M2M) Support Groups, which equip women with the knowledge and skills to improve nutrition, access to healthcare and household resilience.
Pregnant women are often advised to take Iron and Folic Acid Supplements (IFAS) to prevent anaemia. However, many stop taking them due to side effects such as constipation, nausea, and a metallic taste. Recognising this, OHEAL trained 44 healthcare providers and 89 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to counsel pregnant women on how to take IFAS and manage any side effects properly.
Beyond supplementation, the M2M groups educate women on iron-rich diets and the importance of eating them alongside vitamin C-rich foods to boost absorption. Women also learn which foods to avoid, such as tea with meals, which hinders iron intake.
“I was enrolled on the M2M group because I was struggling with anaemia and low pregnancy weight,” recalls Kaai Laapo, her voice filled with gratitude. Following the recommendations provided by my peers in the group, I avoided drinking tea with my meals and took the IFAS supplements regularly. I also tried adding more iron-rich foods to my diet, like leafy green vegetables and meat.” In 2021, Kaai gave birth to her daughter, Primrose and exclusively breastfed her for six months. Now 3 years old, Primrose is healthy and achieving his developmental milestones.
Since 2021, the OHEAL project has been working to enhance the nutrition and health of women of reproductive age and children under two in Isiolo County. A key milestone was the launch of Multi-Sectoral Innovation Platforms (MSIPs) in five sub-counties. These platforms unite local government, community elders, meteorological departments, ministries of health, education, agriculture, and social justice organisations to address the root causes of malnutrition.
“Prolonged droughts reduce milk availability, worsening malnutrition among women and children,” explains Joyce Larabi, a Community Health Assistant in the Ol-donyiro ward. “Through the MSIPs, we integrate indigenous climate forecastingto prepare communities for drought, ensuring pregnant and breastfeeding mothers have access to nutritious food year-round.”
Women are also encouraged to grow drought-resistant crops, such as sorghum, millet, and cowpeas, which supply essential nutrients and reduce dependence on less resilient staple crops like maize, which are affected by unpredictable rainfall.
The M2M groups extend beyond health education to support alternative livelihoods, enabling women to become financially independent. For instance, beekeeping has become a sustainable income source, allowing women to earn a living while safeguarding the environment.
“Beekeeping has given us financial independence beyond livestock,” says Hellena Sankei, a participant in the M2M program. “With every honey harvest, we earn an income, save for our children’s education, and invest in our households. We sell our honey to neighbouring conservancies that cater to tourists, and a litre of honey fetches Kshs 1,000.”
Through M2M groups, women receive vital education on maternal nutrition, antenatal care, hospital births, and family planning, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health. These groups also help challenge harmful cultural norms, encouraging solidarity and collective problem-solving.
“This group has helped us realise that our health is interconnected with our environment and livelihoods,” shares Margaret Legei, an M2M member. “By making small but meaningful changes, we create healthier families and a stronger community.”
According to Hellen Larabi, OHEAL Project Coordinator, “Scaling up community-driven nutrition programmes like M2M groups could be a game-changer for maternal and child health in Kenya’s ASAL regions. By integrating Amref’s One Health Strategy, which focuses on maternal nutrition, infant feeding, micronutrient supplementation, and climate-resilient agriculture, we are tackling hunger while building community resilience.” Quantitative projections suggest that scaling the programme to 90% countywide coverage could reduce child mortality by 15%, stunting by 20%, and severe wasting by 60%. This impact is achieved by focusing on the first 1,000 days of life through evidence-based interventions, including maternal nutrition, infant feeding, micronutrient supplementation, and the management of acute malnutrition.