Accelerating Access to and Availability of Enhanced Lifesaving Prevention and Treatment (Kenya, 2026)

The ACCEPT project (2023-2026), implemented by Save the Children in Turkana and Mandera, Kenya, strengthened health and nutrition systems through improved service delivery, provider capacity, community accountability, and policy support. While the evaluation found notable gains in health system readiness, malnutrition screening, treatment of childhood illnesses, and immunisation services, key nutrition and feeding indicators, including exclusive breastfeeding and child dietary diversity, declined due to persistent challenges such as food insecurity, drought, restrictive gender norms, and barriers faced by vulnerable groups. The study concludes that strengthening health services alone is insufficient and that future programmes should also address the underlying social, economic, and inclusion barriers that influence caregiving and health-seeking behaviours.