Dietary diversity is a qualitative and proxy indicator of food security status. Social, physical, economic and biological factors, among others, may impact positively or negatively on the dietary diversity of a population. The aim of this study was to explore the food and dietary diversity in Malava and Lurambi sub-Counties of Kakamega County during COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive survey design was used for data collection. The sample size was 200 households. A questionnaire that was designed and developed using KoBo Collect and synchronized to Open Data Kit (ODK) server was used to collect data. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 26.0 to generate descriptive and inferential statistical data. Independent t-test statistics for mean differences was used to determine differences in Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS) between Lurambi and Malava sub-Counties. The study results showed that grains and grain products and all other starchy foods recorded the highest HDDS (100%), followed by dark green leafy vegetables (90.1%) and fruits (46.7%). Foods with the lowest HDDS were meat and meat products (16.5%) and other vegetables (19.7%). Lurambi sub-County had a higher dietary diversity score during COVID-19 pandemic as compared to Malava sub-County. The HDDS scores showed that the dietary diversity for Lurambi sub-County was 3.8 and that of Malava sub-County was 3.2. The T-test results were significant at p= 0.02, <0.05 at 95% CI. However, both sub-Counties had overall, a low HDDS as they did not reach the recommended dietary diversity of consuming foods from at least five food groups. Consequently, the overall low HDDS in both sub-Counties could imply that households did not have access to nutritious food during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study concluded that during COVID-19 pandemic, households in Kakamega had low HDDS and hence, establishing strategies for enhancing dietary diversity to improve food access during and beyond any pandemic was key. Key words: Dietary diversity, COVID-19, household food access, food security

The world is currently battling the triple burden of malnutrition across all age groups including children. In Kenya, household socio-demographic and economic characteristics have been shown to contribute to malnutrition among children, but there is little known about the magnitude of their contribution at the sub-county level. This study aimed at determining the association between socio-demographic and economic characteristics of mothers and the nutritional status of their children 6-59 months old. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in November and December of 2021 in Malava Sub-county, Kakamega County, Kenya. Data were collected from households using semi-structured questionnaires administered to 344 randomly selected mothers who had children aged 6-59 months. Nutritional status was determined using anthropometric measurements translated to nutrition indicators using WHO Anthro software. Association between the study variables was determined using Chi-square test. About 53% of the mothers were aged < 25 years. Formal education of mothers was low with 14.5% having no education at all and 46.8% having completed primary level only. Poverty rate was high in the study area with 83.7% of the mothers being unemployed and 77.9% earning less than Ksh. 5,000 (50 USD) per month. Only 14.5% engaged in business as an economic activity. Malnutrition prevalence in Malava Sub-county was high with almost 21% of the children being stunted and 8.1% being severely stunted. The prevalence of wasting and underweight were at 12.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Significant associations were observed between the stunting and the age of the mother (p=0.036) and education level (p=0.023). Education was also significantly associated with wasting (p=0.008). Underweight was associated with education level (p=0.014), average household monthly income (p=0.019) and the household economic activity engagement (p=0.01). The study recommends a multi-sectoral collaboration in addressing the household demographic and economic characteristics that may help in reducing the prevalence of malnutrition in Malava Sub-county, Kakamega County. Key words: Children, Nutritional Status, Stunting, Wasting, Underweight, Malnutrition, Household, Malava, Kakamega