Counties Push Nutrition Laws to Safeguard Programs Amid Donor Funding Cuts

By James Nyaigoti,

County governments have raised concern over the disruption of donor-funded programmes, noting that several initiatives previously supported by development partners have either been scaled down or terminated. As a result, some staff have lost their jobs, while in other instances counties have struggled to absorb affected personnel into their own systems.
Despite these challenges, leaders say the nutrition programme supported by Nutrition International has remained resilient due to its unique design. Unlike many externally funded projects, the programme was structured as a partnership between county governments and Nutrition International, with most resources provided through a matching fund arrangement. This model required counties to commit their own resources alongside donor support.

Officials say this approach has enabled counties to build internal capacity to mobilise domestic resources, ensuring continuity even amid shifting global funding priorities. Participating counties have already adopted and are implementing nutrition policies, while 12 counties are now working towards the establishment of comprehensive nutrition laws. The proposed legislation aims to mainstream nutrition across multiple sectors, including health, education, agriculture and culture, embedding it firmly within county development agendas.
Leaders emphasised that future donor-supported programmes must incorporate strong domestic resource mobilisation components to guarantee sustainability. “When development partners scale down or exit, internal mechanisms must already be in place to sustain programmes,” one county official noted, underscoring the importance of long-term planning and resilience.

The counties also expressed appreciation for support received from Nutrition International, highlighting the funding model that prioritises local ownership and self-reliance. By strengthening domestic systems and financial commitments, counties say they are better positioned to withstand funding shocks and changing global priorities.

Stakeholders further stressed the need to elevate nutrition beyond being viewed solely as a health issue. They argued that malnutrition carries significant economic consequences and should be treated as a political and development priority at all levels — from top national leadership to grassroots communities.
Kenya, they noted, already has comparative advantages over many countries, including strong political commitment and established governance structures. Through mechanisms such as the Council of Governors, counties are sharing lessons and best practices, enabling others to replicate successful models from the 11 participating counties and expand impact to more regions.

Even as donor funding shrinks globally, county leaders remain optimistic that with the right policies, legal frameworks and domestic resource strategies in place, nutrition programmes can be sustained and scaled to benefit vulnerable populations across the country.

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