In Makueni County, a story of resilience and hope unfolds amidst the challenges of malnutrition. Cyrus Sila, a father of triplets, has become a symbol of strength in the face of adversity. On March 19, 2025, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili highlighted the rising cases of malnutrition among newborns, infants, and children under the age of five in the region. Sila's journey, marked by the disappearance of his wife and the struggle to provide for his five children, underscores the critical need for intervention and support.

On the outskirts of Kiunduani market, along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa road, the synchronized cries of Sila's triplets fill the air. At one year and two months old, these girls—Faith, Fiona, and Felicia—have brought a sense of peace to their father's life. Sila recalls the despair he felt when his wife vanished two months after their birth, leaving him to care for the newborns and his two older children alone. "I am both their father and mother. We have learned to connect in a way only we understand," he says, his pride evident as he cradles his daughters.

The night his wife left is etched in Sila's memory. Claiming to seek medicine for the babies, she never returned, leaving Sila to grapple with the daunting task of raising five children single-handedly. The triplets, fragile and underweight, had just been discharged from the hospital, their health a constant worry. Despite Sila's efforts, his reliance on sporadic, low-paying jobs meant he couldn't provide the proper nutrition they desperately needed. The babies suffered repeated infections, each hospital visit a painful reminder of his helplessness.

Dr. Patrick Musyoki, the Medical Officer of Health at Kibwezi West Sub-County, notes that the triplets are now out of immediate danger but require proper complementary feeding to thrive. Malnutrition, he warns, is a disease that can be fatal without timely intervention. He explains that some children are born malnourished due to their mothers' poor nutrition during pregnancy, leading to low birth weight. In the case of the triplets, the largest weighed just over a kilogramme at birth, while the others weighed a mere 0.8 and 0.9 kilogrammes. The average weight of a normal newborn should be 2.5 kilogrammes, making the triplets particularly vulnerable.

Sila's struggle to provide specialized formulas, fortified foods, and essential supplements like Vitamin A, iron, zinc, and iodine has been immense. "I could only afford white porridge for them," he admits. However, support has come in the form of the Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili's programme, Mainstreaming Gender in Adolescent Health and Nutrition. Originally targeting primary school girls aged 10 to 16, the programme was extended to include the triplets, ensuring they received the necessary nutrition to stay healthy and avoid further hospitalizations.

Today, the transformation is evident. "I can now confidently say they are a blessing. They’ve gained weight and are healthy. I’m overjoyed," says Sila, his face beaming with pride. Deputy Governor Mulili echoes his sentiments, vowing continued support for the family. The county government has invested heavily in tackling malnutrition, with each of the six sub-counties having at least five health centers dedicated to the issue. In Kibwezi West alone, 22 centers manage malnourished children.

Mulili explains that malnutrition cases have risen, particularly in areas with unreliable rainfall and crop failure. The government provides free micronutrient supplements at health facilities and has established various programs to address different levels of malnutrition. Children with acute malnutrition are admitted to the Inpatient Programme (IP), those with moderate malnutrition are placed in the Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP), and those with less severe malnutrition are enrolled in the Supplementary Feeding Programme (SFP).

Data from the county health department reveals that in 2024, 376 children under five were diagnosed with acute malnutrition and admitted to facilities. During the same period, 1,717 children were diagnosed with moderate malnutrition and placed in the outpatient programme, while another 1,330 were recommended for the SFP. The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 further highlights the extent of the problem, with 20 out of every 100 children in Makueni exhibiting stunted growth, 8.7 percent being underweight, and four percent classified as wasted.

The story of Cyrus Sila and his triplets is a testament to the challenges faced by many families in Makueni County. It also highlights the importance of targeted interventions and community support in combating malnutrition and ensuring a healthier future for the region's children. The efforts of the county government, coupled with the resilience of families like Sila's, offer a glimmer of hope in the fight against this pervasive issue.