Food is considered an essential need for any human beings. There is always a need to understand the nutritional values of various food for a healthy lifestyle.
In the Kalenjin community which is predominant in the Rift Valley region, their cultural norms, taboos and beliefs exempt women from eating a certain food.
It can be shocking to those who are not members of the community after learning what is restricted and recommended to women.
Philip Tarus, a 70-year-old resident of Ziwa in Uasin Gishu county says women and children are exempted from eating animal organs such as tongue, udder and reproductive organs for their own health benefits.
"It is against our cultural norms and values for women to eat certain animal organs such as those of reproduction," said Tarus noting that they believe a tongue makes women and children talk too much.
Mary Sing'oei, a Kalenjin lady on her part said during her pregnancy, she never ate meat and eggs as it was restricted because it was believed to make a baby big thus might cause problems during birth.
"I was keenly monitored during my pregnancies so that I do not take meat or eggs which are said to make foetus big," said Sing'oei, a mother of five.
"I have been very fortunate since when a cow, sheep or goat is slaughtered, I eat the juicy organs such as liver as my wife and children are exempt from eating these animal organs," said Cleophas, a Kalenjin man, while busting in laughter.
However, his wife was unsatisfied with these Kalenjin beliefs claiming they were set up by greedy people to deny women from sharing this juicy food.
Traditional vegetables, milk, porridge and fruits which also contains a nutritious value are the food recommended to the Kalenjin women and children.
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