Mapping the Drivers of Multisectoral Nutrition Governance and Its Link to Nutrition Outcomes in Kenya: A Qualitative Inquiry

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition remains a significant public health issue in Kenya. Multisectoral Nutrition Governance (MNG) is increasingly being acknowledged as a catalyst for enhancing nutrition programming and outcomes. Effective MNG establishes policies, systems, and mechanisms that enable coordinated, adequately funded, and sustainable nutrition actions across sectors; however, its understanding and progress assessment remain inadequate. Objective: This study aimed to qualitatively assess the status of MNG and propose strategies to strengthen MNG mechanisms for improved nutrition actions and outcomes in Kenya. We hypothesized that effective performance across the MNG domains is associated with effective multisectoral nutrition actions and improved nutrition outcomes. Design: This study used a qualitative design to assess the MNG status over the past 10 years (2012–2023). Nineteen program managers and officers from government and non-governmental institutions implementing nutrition at the national level were included. Data collection was conducted between January and March 2024 through key informant interviews (KIIs). Thematic analysis, guided by both inductive and deductive coding, was carried out using MAXQDA (Maximizing Qualitative Data Analysis) software. Results: The findings indicate progress in strengthening MNG in the previous decade, though gaps persist. The progress was driven by improved political awareness and commitment, the adoption of nutrition policy and planning frameworks, and improved coordination. Constraints that impede MNG progress include inadequate financing and over-reliance on donor funding, limited translation of commitments to actions, lack of unified monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems and fragmented policies. Conclusions: Strengthening multisectoral M&E systems that allow timely collection and utilization of data, ensuring sustainable financing for nutrition, enhancing accountability mechanisms and improving coherence across sectors are important for further improvement of MNG.