Project Summary
The activities proposed and implemented by the project worked towards achieving the long term goal of promoting community based sustainability strategies in production, processing and marketing of nutritious flour in Kenya.
This can best be epitomised by project activities which were undertaken during project life such as; employment of a Nutritionist to run the Nutri-Care program, who ensured that all the key activities planned were implemented on scheduled time. Marketing Nutri flour through promotions in the internet, media, exhibitions and door-to door campaigns which led to transformation of consumer dietary habits. The acquisition of all the required government licenses for the Nutri-Care project made the routine operations to progress with out technical hitches, interruptions and un due closures. Community involvement in production of raw ingredients used for Nutriflour processing also made it possible for Nutri care to consistently monitor the production and quality of raw ingredients used.
Comprehensive value chain analysis appraisal served as a means of determining the sustainability of the Nutri care business model. This ensured that all the linkages in the value chain were well connected without unwarranted gaps that would have otherwise disrupted normal running of the business.

Construction of new Nutri care complex building and Relocation plans:

K-MET applied for the change of land use from the local authority in March 2011. The change was effected with gazettement in the Kenya gazette done as required by laws of Kenya in June 2011. The building plan was taken to the Kisumu Town urban planning department and approved by July 2011. Therefore, this cleared the processes required for commencement of construction work.

Construction of the new Nutri care complex has begun in earnest in September 2011 and hopefully will be completed by mid November or early December 2011. It is envisaged that the current production plant will be relocated from Nyamasaria to the new and more spacious K-MET complex premises in December 2011.

Impact:

The comprehensive value chain analysis is being used as an assessment process tool for the Nutri Care business activities. The preliminary results at the mid term levels indicated that most direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project  reported  improved quality of life, enhanced purchasing and marketing dexterity and increased ability to sustain the value chain even with very minimum resources within their locality. This can best be exemplified by the Youths, PLWHA, CHWs and grandmothers who created a means of livelihood that provided a steady source of income from Nutri Care centre activities. The value chain process improved the quality of life of OVCs by putting food on the table, clothing, repairing and building structures that sheltered the vulnerable households and educated OVCs using proceeds from the farms and Nutri flour distribution. The process was able to market KMET, since the stakeholders marketed and advertised the KMET name and the reputation as a future Centre for excellence.
Hence, Nutri Care success in this regard is being used as a model by several of KMET’s other programs such as the KMET Clinic and safe space project which are striving for self sufficiency. KMET believes that strengthening the Nutri-Care project will be a major step to creating a sustainable organization.

Upcoming Nutricare Production Unit, construction work in progress

Packaging of Nutricare flour at the current rented premises