Over 200 Kericho caregivers tipped on safe nutrition for children with Autism and Cerebral Palsy

At least 200 caregivers in Kericho County have received specialised training on safe nutrition and feeding practices aimed at improving care for children living with autism and cerebral palsy.

The one-day training, dubbed Nutrition Awareness Day, was spearheaded by Arise and Shine, a local community-based organisation (CBO), in collaboration with AIC Litein Mission Hospital.

The programme equipped parents and guardians with practical knowledge on nutrition, hygiene, basic therapeutic exercises and home-based learning approaches.

Speaking during the event held at the Arise and Shine grounds in Duka Moja, CBO Director Pamela Keno said the initiative was designed to bridge critical knowledge gaps among caregivers.

“This initiative is meant to empower caregivers with sustainable skills in nutrition and specialised care because many of them face significant knowledge gaps in supporting children living with autism and cerebral palsy,” she said.

Recalling a tragic incident in December 2025 whereby a 14-year-old boy living with cerebral palsy tragically choked while being fed a meal of rice by his mother, Keno said the programme has come at the right time to bridge the knowledge gap.

She said that the incident raised concerns about the lack of access to specialised nutrition guidance and safe feeding training for caregivers of children with disabilities.

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Experts say that with proper support and skills such tragedies can often be prevented. “The incident prompted the idea of organising a nutrition awareness day for caregivers with children living with cerebral palsy and autism in Kericho County,” she explained.

AIC Litein Mission Hospital nutritionist Laurie Saur Wine urged caregivers to prioritise safe feeding practices and balanced diets to prevent avoidable complications.

“Caregivers need to pay close attention to safe feeding practices and balanced nutrition to prevent avoidable health complications,” she said.

Wine advised parents to provide meals that include proteins, fruits, vegetables and energy-giving foods to support growth and overall health. She also emphasised the importance of regularly monitoring the child’s weight and development.

Occupational therapist Meg D’Amico, who works with AIC Litein Mission Hospital and is based in the United States, demonstrated safe feeding techniques, including proper positioning and adaptive strategies.

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“The child should sit upright at a 90-degree angle with the hips, knees and ankles supported. This promotes safe swallowing and minimises the risk of choking,” D’Amico said.

She further encouraged caregivers to adjust food textures depending on a child’s ability to chew and swallow.

“Children with cerebral palsy experience muscle control challenges, so soft or mashed foods may be safer. If possible, a caregiver can mash or blend the food,” she advised.

“For children with autism, they may have sensory sensitivities to certain textures, temperatures or colours of food, requiring patience and gradual introduction of new meals. Children can be allowed to participate in feeding according to their ability, such as holding a spoon, touching food or self-feeding with support. With the right support and adaptive feeding tools, feeding can become safer and more independent for both the child and caregiver,” noted D’Amico.

The carers who attended the training were drawn from all six sub-counties in Kericho — Ainamoi, Bureti, Belgut, Londiani, Soin/Sigowet and Kipkelion.

Among those present were Kericho County Referral Hospital Head of Rehabilitation Services Milka Washuma, AIC Litein Mission Hospital nutritionist Gloria Koskei, representatives from the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), a faith-based organisation, as well as teachers and pupils from Kipchimchim Comprehensive and Special Unit School.

By Kimutai Langat