Operationalizing Multisectoral Nutrition Governance: Examining Commitment, Capacity, and Mechanisms for Action in Scaling Up Nutrition Actions in Kenya

IF 4.2 Q2 NUTRITION & DIETETICS

Current Developments in Nutrition Pub Date : 2026-07-01 Epub Date: 2026-06-20 DOI:10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.109403

Jacob K Korir, Wilna Oldewage-Theron, Malinda J Colwell, Wanjiku N Gichohi-Wainaina

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Abstract

Background

Effective Multisectoral Nutrition Governance (MNG) is critical for addressing the complex determinants of malnutrition. However, evidence on how key governance functions influence governance outcomes over time remains limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Objectives

This study assessed the status, evolution, and drivers of MNG in Kenya from 2012 to 2023. It examined how commitment, capacity, and mechanisms for action explain current MNG status and perceived improvements over time.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated MNG assessment tool. Respondents assessed current governance conditions in 2023 and retrospectively for 2012. Quantitative data were collected from 112 respondents across government and nongovernmental sectors. Descriptive statistics were used to assess governance trends. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Tests and multiple linear regression were used to examine changes in MNG over time and identify factors associated with MNG outcomes. Relative importance analysis quantified the contribution of each governance theme.

Results

A total of 96 out of 112 respondents completed the survey. MNG status improved significantly from 58.4% in 2012 to 71.1% in 2023 (P < 0.01). Significant improvements were also observed across MNG themes; commitment (r_b = 0.68), capacity (r_b = 0.61), and mechanisms for action (r_b = 0.67). Relative importance analysis indicated that capacity accounted for the largest share of explained variance (35.5%), followed by mechanisms for action (33.2%) and commitment (31.2%). However, the overlapping confidence intervals indicated that all 3 themes were comparably associated with variations in MNG status and improvement over time.

Conclusions

Kenya has made significant progress in strengthening MNG over the past decade. Although commitment and mechanisms for action remain essential, the capacity theme reflects the operational conditions through which governance improvements are implemented. Continued investments in institutional and operational capacity, including predictable and sustainable financing, are therefore important for sustaining and consolidating governance gains.

查看原文本刊更多论文

实施多部门营养治理：审查肯尼亚扩大营养行动的承诺、能力和行动机制。

背景：有效的多部门营养治理（MNG）对于解决营养不良的复杂决定因素至关重要。然而，关于关键治理职能如何影响长期治理成果的证据仍然有限，特别是在低收入和中等收入国家。目的：本研究评估了2012年至2023年肯尼亚MNG的现状、演变和驱动因素。它研究了承诺、能力和行动机制如何解释当前的MNG状态和随着时间的推移所看到的改进。方法：采用经过验证的MNG评估工具进行回顾性横断面研究。受访者在2023年评估了当前的治理状况，并追溯至2012年。从政府和非政府部门的112名受访者中收集了定量数据。描述性统计用于评估治理趋势。使用Wilcoxon sign - rank检验和多元线性回归来检查MNG随时间的变化，并确定与MNG结果相关的因素。相对重要性分析量化了每个治理主题的贡献。结果：112名被调查者中有96人完成了调查。MNG状态由2012年的58.4%显著提高到2023年的71.1% （P < 0.01）。在MNG主题中也观察到显著的改进；承诺（r b = 0.68）、能力（r b = 0.61）和行动机制（r b = 0.67）。相对重要性分析表明，能力占解释方差的最大份额（35.5%），其次是行动机制（33.2%）和承诺（31.2%）。然而，重叠的置信区间表明，所有3个主题都与MNG状态的变化和随时间的改善有相当的相关性。结论：肯尼亚在过去十年中在加强MNG方面取得了重大进展。虽然承诺和行动机制仍然至关重要，但能力主题反映了执行治理改进的业务条件。因此，对机构和业务能力的持续投资，包括可预测和可持续的融资，对于维持和巩固治理成果非常重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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