Kenya faces a concerning drop in exclusive breastfeeding, with new Health Ministry data showing fewer infants receiving optimal nutrition during their first six months.
Currently, only 61 percent of Kenyan infants are exclusively breastfed for the recommended six months, down from previous years and falling short of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal that all infants receive only breast milk for their first half-year of life.Concurrently, bottle feeding rates have climbed dramatically, rising from 22 percent to 34 percent. Health officials warn this change could reverse decades of progress in lowering child mortality and malnutrition rates.
“We are concerned by the rising rate of bottle feeding, which has increased from 22 percent to 34 percent,” said Dr. Rose Mbatia, senior nutrition officer at the Ministry. “This trend is undermining our progress in reducing child deaths. Exclusive breastfeeding for six months remains one of the most effective ways to protect infant health.”
The Ministry attributes this trend to rapid urbanization, evolving lifestyles, aggressive promotion of formula products, and insufficient support for breastfeeding mothers—particularly those rejoining the workforce soon after giving birth.
The Critical Role of Breastfeeding
Medical experts underscore that breast milk supplies all the nutrients, antibodies, and enzymes an infant needs for healthy growth and development in their first six months. Exclusive breastfeeding enhances a baby’s immune system, shielding them from common—and sometimes fatal—infections such as diarrhea and pneumonia, which remain leading causes of death among children under five in Kenya.
The Ministry’s data reveal a direct link between reduced breastfeeding rates and persistently high child mortality, especially in low-income and informal urban settlements where access to clean water and healthcare is limited. In such settings, bottle feeding poses heightened risks due to potential contamination and inadequate nutrition.
Understanding the Causes
A combination of factors is driving the decline in exclusive breastfeeding:
- Aggressive marketing of infant formula in both urban and rural areas
- Limited workplace support, including short maternity leave and a lack of breastfeeding-friendly facilities
- Urbanization, with more mothers joining the workforce soon after childbirth
- Cultural shifts and misconceptions that bottle feeding is more modern or convenient
- Gaps in postnatal counseling and support from healthcare providers
Ministry of Health Responds
In response, the Ministry of Health is intensifying its campaign to promote exclusive breastfeeding. At a recent press conference, senior ministry officials called for stronger maternal support systems, expanded breastfeeding education, and tighter regulation of formula advertising.
Key measures announced by the Ministry include:
- Enforcing the 2012 Breast Milk Substitutes Regulation and Control Act to curb misleading formula marketing
- Expanding Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiatives to encourage breastfeeding immediately after birth
- Advocating for workplace policies that support breastfeeding mothers, like lactation rooms and flexible schedules
- Training more community health volunteers to assist new mothers
- Launching nationwide campaigns on the importance of breastfeeding through media, schools, and clinics
A Question of Health Equity
The drop in exclusive breastfeeding also highlights disparities in access to maternal care and information. Mothers in wealthier communities and private hospitals often receive better support, while those in informal settlements or rural areas may lack guidance.
With more than 40 percent of under-five deaths in Kenya preventable through improved infant feeding, experts insist that breastfeeding should be prioritized as a public health imperative, not just a personal choice.
Regional and Global Perspective
Although Kenya’s 61 percent exclusive breastfeeding rate surpasses the global average of 44 percent, it still falls below the WHO’s 2030 target of 70 percent. Neighboring countries such as Rwanda and Uganda have achieved better outcomes through robust public health campaigns and stricter regulation of formula marketing.
Health officials caution that unless urgent steps are taken, Kenya risks missing its commitments under the Global Breastfeeding Collective, a UNICEF and WHO initiative aimed at scaling up investment and advocacy for breastfeeding.
The Way Forward
Health advocates and experts are urging:
- Greater investment in breastfeeding support
- Stricter monitoring of commercial baby food advertising
- Expansion of community nutrition programs
- Improved postnatal education and follow-up for mothers
- Stronger involvement of fathers and families in supporting breastfeeding
As Kenya grapples with persistent child mortality, the decline in exclusive breastfeeding and the rise in bottle feeding pose a growing threat to public health. Experts agree: solutions must go beyond awareness campaigns to include supportive environments, from hospitals to workplaces to homes, where breastfeeding is protected and prioritized for every child’s healthy start.
