A presentation given by Manaan Mumma at the Transform Nutrition regional meeting 'Using evidence to inspire action in East Africa' Nairobi, Kenya 8 June 2017.

1. Nutrition Leadership in Practice
Manaan Mumma

2. The case of Nutrition Leadership from a Civil
Society Perspective:
• Experience with the SUN CSA – formation of the
coalition and serving in the first executive committee
• Leading the Nutrition Advocacy portfolio at a National
advocacy NGO with experience in HIV & TB advocacy
• As a member of the ACTION Global Health Advocacy
Partnership

3. Background:
• Kenya has a vibrant & dynamic policy environment
for nutrition:
• Constitution that highlights food security &
nutrition
• Costed NNAP
• Several nutrition policies, guidelines and strategies
• A strong Division of Nutrition under MOH; strong
nutrition sector and leadership

4. David’s Story….

6. Strategies used:
• Advocacy with key decision makers- First Lady,
ministers, parliamentarians, county governments and
executives, health and finance committees
• Nutrition Advocacy trainings- at national & county level
to create a pool of nutrition advocates and champions
• Media Advocacy – Sensitization & training of media
practitioners on nutrition reporting (leading to increase in
articles on nutrition in the media, opinion pieces and
engagement of various stakeholders on media

7. Strategies used:
• Strategic partnerships with networks on
common nutrition advocacy agendas:
– Kenya – SUN CSA
– Regional Level – working with CSO networks in
6 Eastern African and 4 Southern African countries –
parliamentarian advocacy; regional Op-eds; Regional GNR
launches 2014/2015
– Globally –ACTION Global Health Advocacy partnership;
ICAN; (Generation Nutrition campaigns; Nutrition for
Growth; Representation of Southern CSOs at key global
events-ICN2, World Bank Spring meetings;G7 meetings;
WHA

8. Strategies used:
• Use of context-specific evidence to
frame nutrition in a way that is appropriate for its audience- be it policy
makers, political leaders or the public e.g. the HANCI, GNR –
developing policy briefs; key messages & human interest stories
• Citizen & grassroots advocacy - Raising awareness within
communities about issues affecting them; empowering them to engage
their elected representatives on these issues e.g. through use of letters,
petitions & advocacy days
• Contribution to policy development- Bills, policy documents &
position papers e.g. Health Bill 2014 and Kenya Health Policy 2014-2030
• Mobilization of CSOs to participate in budget processes at national &
county level

9. Skills Required:
• Passion and commitment
• Knowledge and relevant training
• Data and Evidence
• Strategic partnerships and networks

10. Challenges:
• Inadequate executive-level political
commitment
• Inadequate funding for nutrition advocacy
• Time and effort taken to demonstrate
meaningful impact of malnutrition initiatives to
policy makers and political leaders
• Investments made towards nutrition are still
minimal

11. ThankYou