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Prof. Judith Kimiywe

Professor of Nutrition; Director, Centre for Research, Evidence & Learning (CRES); Chair, Kenyatta University Ethics Review Committee (KUERC)

Home School of Health Sciences Department of Food, Nutrition & Dietetics Prof. Judith Kimiywe

Prof. Judith Kimiywe

Professor, Department of Food, Nutrition & Dietetics; Director, Centre for Research, Evidence & Learning (CRES); Chair, Kenyatta University Ethics Review Committee (KUERC)

Specialization: Public Health Nutrition, Maternal & Child Nutrition, Community Nutrition, School Health & Nutrition, Nutrition Policy & Programming

Academic Qualifications

PhD, MSc, BEd — Nutrition / Home Economics

Research Interests

Maternal, Infant & Young Child Nutrition
School Health & Nutrition Programming
Adolescent Nutrition & Health
Micronutrient Deficiencies & Anaemia Control
Double Burden of Malnutrition (Stunting, Overweight & Obesity)
Nutrition in Emergencies & Humanitarian Settings
HIV/AIDS & Nutrition
Food Security & Livelihoods
Nutrition Education & Behaviour Change Communication
Non-Communicable Diseases & Diet-Related Risk Factors
Nutrition Policy, Strategy & Programme Evaluation
Food Safety & Hygiene
Indigenous & Traditional Foods
Research Ethics & Bioethics

Books & Book Chapters

Kimiywe, J. et al. — Contributing author/editor, Kenyan Food Composition Tables (KFCT), Ministry of Health / FAO / Government of Kenya, with Kenyatta University Department of Food, Nutrition & Dietetics.
Multiple book chapters on community and public health nutrition, school health and nutrition programming, and nutrition education in edited international volumes (full reference list available in CV).

Peer-Reviewed Publications (103 articles in refereed journals, 2009–2025 — selected chronological list)

  1. Kimiywe, J. et al. (2025). Determinants of dietary diversity among school-age children in urban informal settlements, Nairobi County, Kenya. Journal of Nutritional Science. https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2025.001
  2. Kimiywe, J., Muhonja, F. & Waudo, J. (2024). Nutritional status and associated factors among adolescents in secondary schools in Kitui County, Kenya. BMC Nutrition, 10, 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-024-00845-2
  3. Kimiywe, J. et al. (2023). Effectiveness of a school-based nutrition education intervention on dietary practices among primary school children in Nairobi, Kenya. Public Health Nutrition, 26(8), 1620-1631. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980023000456
  4. Kimiywe, J., Chege, P. & Ndungu, Z. (2022). Prevalence and determinants of stunting among children aged 6-59 months in Turkana County, Kenya. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 22(3), 19876-19894. https://doi.org/10.18697/ajfand.108.21567
  5. Muinde, N., Kimiywe, J. & Kiio, J. (2025). Paternal role on feeding and childcare: exploring practices, perceptions and challenges in Makueni County; a qualitative study. Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences, 13(6), 215-228.
  6. Kimiywe, J. et al. (2021). Infant and young child feeding practices and nutritional status of children 6-23 months in pastoralist communities of Samburu County, Kenya. BMC Public Health, 21, 1124. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11176-9
  7. Kimiywe, J. & Mwaniki, E. (2021). Influence of maternal nutrition knowledge on complementary feeding practices in informal settlements of Nairobi. East African Journal of Public Health, 18(2), 45-58.
  8. Kimiywe, J., Wanjohi, M. & Githinji, F. (2020). Food security status and dietary diversity among smallholder farming households in Machakos County, Kenya. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 15(4), 512-521.
  9. Kimiywe, J. (2020). Knowledge, attitudes and practices on exclusive breastfeeding among mothers attending MCH clinics in Nairobi County, Kenya. International Breastfeeding Journal, 15, 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00266-y
  10. Kimiywe, J., Waudo, J. & Mbithe, D. (2019). Effect of a community-based nutrition education programme on caregiver feeding practices in Kiambu County, Kenya. Journal of Applied Biosciences, 134, 13675-13685.
  11. Kimiywe, J. et al. (2019). Anaemia and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Machakos County, Kenya. Pan African Medical Journal, 33, 286. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2019.33.286.18211
  12. Kimiywe, J. (2018). Role of school feeding programmes on nutrition and education outcomes of primary school pupils in arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 18(2), 13379-13396.
  13. Kimiywe, J., Chege, P. & Ndungu, Z. (2017). Overweight and obesity among in-school adolescents in Nairobi County, Kenya: prevalence and risk factors. BMC Public Health, 17, 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3924-1
  14. Kimiywe, J. (2016). Complementary feeding: Why is it stalled? African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 16(4), 11260-11268.
  15. Kimiywe, J., Waudo, J., Mbithe, D. & Maundu, P. (2015). Utilization and effects of indigenous foods on nutritional status of riverine communities of Tana River District, Kenya. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 7(4).
  16. Kimiywe, J. et al. (2014). Determinants of dietary diversity among children 6-23 months in Embu and Kitui counties, Kenya. Journal of Food Research, 3(4), 70-78.
  17. Kimiywe, J. (2013). Maternal knowledge and complementary feeding practices in pastoralist communities. East African Medical Journal, 90(7), 245-253.
  18. Kimiywe, J., Waudo, J. & Mbithe, D. (2012). Use of nutrition education to enhance maternal and child health practices in resource-poor settings. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 12(4).
  19. Kimiywe, J. (2011). Nutritional status and feeding practices of children 0-23 months in Embu District, Eastern Kenya. Pan African Medical Journal, 9, 22.
  20. Kimiywe, J., Waudo, J. & Mbithe, D. (2009). Improving school health and nutrition programmes through teacher empowerment: a case study of Nairobi schools. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 9(8).

Note: The complete bibliography of 103 peer-reviewed journal articles (2009–2025), with full DOIs, is maintained in Prof. Kimiywe's curriculum vitae and on the official Kenyatta University staff profile page.

Funded Projects & Grants

Strengthening School Health and Nutrition Programmes in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) — Principal Investigator; multi-county intervention study.
Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) Programme Evaluation — Co-Investigator; community-based evaluation in pastoralist counties.
Adolescent Nutrition and Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Surveillance in Urban Schools — Principal Investigator; Nairobi County secondary schools.
Strengthening Institutional Research Ethics Review Capacity — Lead, Kenyatta University Ethics Review Committee (KUERC) capacity-building grants and trainings.
Centre for Research, Evidence and Learning (CRES) — Institutional Research Capacity Building — Director; oversight of multiple sub-grants supporting evidence generation across Kenyatta University.
Indigenous Foods Utilization and Nutrition Security Project, Tana River — Co-Investigator; documentation and promotion of indigenous food use among riverine communities.
Anaemia Reduction in Pregnancy Project, Machakos County — Co-Investigator; antenatal nutrition supplementation and education trial.
Community Nutrition Education and Caregiver Practices Project, Kiambu County — Principal Investigator.
Kenyan Food Composition Tables (KFCT) Update Project — Contributing researcher; national multi-institutional collaboration with Ministry of Health, FAO and Kenyatta University.

Keynote Addresses

  • Bridging research and policy in maternal and child nutrition — National Nutrition Symposium, Nairobi.
  • The double burden of malnutrition in Kenya — opportunities for multisectoral action — African Nutrition Society Conference.
  • Strengthening school health and nutrition programmes in ASAL counties — Ministry of Education / UNICEF Forum.
  • Research ethics in nutrition and public health studies — Kenyatta University Annual Research Week.
  • Adolescent nutrition — an overlooked priority — Kenya Paediatric Association Annual Scientific Conference.
  • Community-based approaches to combating stunting — County Nutrition Action Forum, Turkana.
  • Evidence-informed nutrition policy making — CRES Annual Research Symposium, Kenyatta University.
  • Food security and nutrition resilience in pastoralist communities — IGAD Regional Nutrition Conference.
  • Gender, nutrition and household food security — Pan-African Nutrition Forum.
  • From evidence to impact: translating nutrition research into programmes — National Nutrition and Food Security Forum.

Training & Workshops (approx. 100 workshop participations and facilitations, 2003–2025 — representative selection)

  • Facilitator, National Training of Trainers on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), Ministry of Health, Nairobi (multiple cohorts, 2010–2024).
  • Facilitator, School Health and Nutrition Curriculum Development Workshops, Ministry of Education (2012–2023).
  • Resource Person, Research Ethics and Good Clinical Practice Trainings, Kenyatta University Ethics Review Committee (annual, 2015–2025).
  • Participant/Facilitator, FANUS (Federation of African Nutrition Societies) Biennial Conferences (2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2023).
  • Facilitator, Community Health Volunteers Nutrition Training Programmes, multiple counties (2008–2022).
  • Participant, FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Nutrition and Labelling Workshops (2011, 2014, 2018).
  • Facilitator, Graduate Research Methods and Proposal Writing Workshops, Kenyatta University Graduate School (annual, 2009–2025).
  • Resource Person, UNICEF/Ministry of Health Nutrition in Emergencies Trainings (2015–2021).
  • Participant, International Congress of Nutrition (ICN) and IUNS scientific workshops (Granada 2013, Buenos Aires 2017, Tokyo 2022, Paris 2025).
  • Facilitator, Adolescent and School Nutrition Policy Dialogue Workshops, multiple county governments (2018–2024).
  • …and approximately 90 further documented workshop participations and facilitation engagements spanning 2003–2025 (full listing available in CV).

Administrative Roles & Affiliations

  • Director, Centre for Research, Evidence and Learning (CRES), Kenyatta University
  • Chairperson, Kenyatta University Ethics Review Committee (KUERC)
  • Professor, Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Kenyatta University
  • Member, African Nutrition Society (ANS)
  • Member, Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS)
  • Member, Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI)
  • Reviewer for several international peer-reviewed nutrition and public health journals
  • Technical advisor to national nutrition policy and school health and nutrition programmes, Ministry of Health / Ministry of Education, Kenya

Media Features

  • Featured expert commentary on maternal and child nutrition in national television and radio nutrition awareness campaigns (Ministry of Health partnerships).
  • Interviewed on school health and nutrition programming for national press coverage of World School Meals Day and World Breastfeeding Week events.
  • Profiled in Kenyatta University research bulletins and CRES institutional publications highlighting community nutrition impact research.