Mothers living in slums in Thika have been advised asked to feed their children well to cushion them from malnutrition, which has become prevalent in Thika especially in Kiandutu and Gachagi slums.
This has been said by Kiambu County Director of Preventive and Health Services Beatrice Wanyee, who has attributed the problem to poor eating habits.
Speaking to a group of young mothers in Gachagi slums on Tuesday, Wanyee said that malnourishment was a serious problem that exposed the children to health risks.
"It is not a good to have a healthy mother and a malnourished child. Malnourishment puts your children at the risk of diseases like kwashiokor, marasmus and stunted growth," said Wanyee.
She added that mothers, especially new ones were the most affected as they had no knowledge on proper nutrition.
Wanyee said that as a result of this, the county government had initiated a programme to educate young mothers on proper nutrition and its benefits.
"Some mothers think that having a proper nutrition is buying expensive foodstuffs from supermarket which is not the case. Cheap vegetables, fruits and other healthy but cheap foods which can be obtained from a local market can serve this purpose," said Wanyee.