Recognizing the Pioneering Contributions of Prof. Ruth Oniang’o to Nutrition and Development in Kenya

If there is one Kenyan woman professor who has made an indelible mark on the development of food systems, nutrition training, research and development in Kenya and much of Africa, it is Honourable Prof Ruth Khasaya Oniang’o. It is difficult to hear the name Prof. Ruth Oniang’o and not have “food and nutrition” spring automatically to mind. Her name has become synonymous with the fight for better nutritional standards and food security in Kenya, and it is fitting that in 2007, the Kenya Coalition for Action in Nutrition (KCAN) honoured her with their Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes Prof. Oniang’o’s transformative contributions to nutrition and development, reflecting her lifelong commitment to advancing the health and well-being of Kenya’s people.

Prof. Oniang’o’s journey in nutrition began with an exceptional academic foundation. After completing her BSc in Food and Nutrition and an MSc in Human Nutrition from Washington State University, Pullman USA, she returned to Kenya determined to put her expertise to work. She later earned a PhD in Food Science and Nutrition from the University of Nairobi. Her early years at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University were marked by ground-breaking research and teaching that established her as Kenya’s first professor of nutrition. Later, at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, she continued to expand the field’s reach, creating Kenya’s first comprehensive academic programs in food science and nutrition. Her influence set the stage for the country’s approach to nutritional sciences, marking her as a pioneer whose work would shape both academia and public policy.

Her achievements in academia were just the beginning of her mission. In 1992, she founded the Rural Outreach Program (ROP) now Rural Outreach Africa, a non-profit organization designed to bridge university research (science) with the practical needs of rural communities including the smallholder farmers. Through ROP, she championed initiatives targeting malnutrition, women’s economic empowerment, and sustainable agriculture, empowering smallholder farmers to improve their livelihoods. Recognized by both the Kenyan government and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), ROP became a model for community-based development, addressing food insecurity and fostering sustainable practices. Prof. Oniang’o’s approach uniquely combined academic rigor with hands-on, grassroots strategies, directly addressing the urgent needs of Kenya’s rural poor.

Prof. Oniang’o’s contributions extended to Kenya’s legislative landscape during her term as a nominated Member of Parliament from 2003 to 2007. In Parliament, she introduced and supported bills aimed at tackling issues like drought resilience, food security, and professionalizing the nutrition field. Her push to establish a formal framework for Kenyan nutritionists and dieticians elevated the profession, ensuring higher standards in nutritional care. Here, she supported Prof Julia Ojiambo (her mentor) who had been the mover of the Motion in Parliament. Moreover, her support for biotechnology in agriculture demonstrated her belief in innovation as a pathway to solving Kenya’s food challenges. Prof. Oniang’o’s legislative efforts reinforced her vision of a healthier Kenya, showing that the fight for nutrition could and should include science-driven solutions.

To further expand her impact, Prof. Ruth Oniang’o wears an additional cap of Editor-in-Chief of the African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), a journal she founded in 2001. AJFAND became a platform for young African researchers, providing them an avenue to publish their work and fostering a new generation of experts in food and nutrition. Many of her ROP interns gained invaluable experience through the journal, benefiting from her mentorship as they contributed to Kenyan, African and global discussions on food and nutrition security. Her role in AJFAND added yet another dimension to her legacy, as she used the journal to elevate African perspectives in global nutrition and agricultural science.

The KCAN award also acknowledges her resilience and persistence despite the many challenges she encountered. Whether navigating limited funding for grassroots programs or advocating for progressive policies amid political resistance, she remained committed to her mission. Her enduring advocacy for rural development, smallholder farmers, and nutrition exemplifies the spirit of the KCAN Lifetime Achievement Award, capturing her belief that nutrition has the power to transform lives and communities.

Through this award, KCAN celebrates not only Prof. Oniang’o’s professional achievements but also her broader legacy—a legacy of public service, community empowerment, and tireless advocacy. Her impact continues to inspire nutritionists, policy-makers, and community leaders, embodying a vision of a food-secure and healthier Kenya. The KCAN Lifetime Achievement Award is a well-deserved tribute to Prof. Ruth Khasaya Oniang’o, whose contributions will remain a cornerstone of Kenya’s nutrition landscape and a guiding force for future generations. This award came exactly 10 years before she received the Africa Food Prize.