The role of wet markets and backyard livestock in supporting nutrition of preschool-aged children in Kenya: challenges from COVID19 influenced closure

The aim of this project is to develop a clear picture of the role played by wet markets in providing access to and availability of high-quality animal protein for peri-urban and poor urban pre-school age children living in a selected community: Eldoret East in Eldoret, Kenya. We will compare children in peri-urban households that raise livestock; peri-urban and urban children in households that do not raise livestock but obtain animal protein through local wet markets (within 2km, or 30 minutes walking distance); and low-income urban children without access to wet markets.

To show that access to local markets where fresh meat, milk and eggs are sold, and where some animals may be sold while still alive, is important for childhood nutrition in areas where people may not have electricity or fridges that can keep food chilled.