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Purpose This paper aims to describe food insecurity status, food consumption patterns of households and nutritional status of families residing along the baobab belt in Kitui and Kilifi counties of Kenya. It also explores associations between these and household socio-demographic characteristics. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional study design was performed with a sample of 216 caregiver/child pairs interviewed. Tablet-based semi-structured questions were used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics of children (6-13 years) and caregivers. Food insecurity status was assessed using the household food insecurity experience scale. Information on food consumption was obtained from qualitative 24-h recall as a basis for calculating a household dietary diversity score. Data were also obtained from a non-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements of children and caregivers’ height and weight were taken to assess their nutritional status. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 24 and WHO AnthroPlus 1.0.4. Findings The majority (98.2 per cent) of the households were food insecurity despite 81.5 and 57.4 per cent in Kitui and Kilifi counties, respectively, owning baobab trees. About 32.1 per cent of the households had poor dietary diversity scores (< 4). The prevalence of stunting (28.6 per cent), wasting (11.6 per cent) and underweight (25 per cent) rates among children were high. A significant association was observed between the children stunting rates with their age (p = 0.027), and also with household’s food security status (p < 0.001). Of the caregivers, 14.8 per cent were underweight, 18.1 per cent were overweight and 8.8 per cent were obese. There was significant association between the nutrition status of the caregivers and gender of the children (p < 0.001) and also with stunting rates of children (p = 0.047). Originality/value The study provides data on the current food security status and food consumption patterns of households and nutritional status of families residing along the baobab belt in Kenya which are mostly areas of marginal agricultural potential. The findings indicate a need for appropriate dietary improvements.

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There are wide disparities between the proportion of men and women not only in higher education but also down to the elementary levels. Some researchers have found out that the percentage of women in higher education in Africa is less than 20 percent. ln Nyanza province for instance, record have it that the student who scored plain A in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education from Ogembo division was only one girl out of 268 students who sat for the examination in Gucha Sub county. Indeed, if this trend continues, there is fear that in future we may not be able to produce female students especially from rural areas joining professional courses such as Law, Pharmancy, and Engineering among others. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that affect girls’ secondary education achievement level and to establish the possible measure that would be taken to in order to improve the girl-child education. The research question included-what factor affects the secondary education level of the girl child and what possible measures would be taken to improve the girl-child secondary education level. Both stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to find out the sample for the study. Questionnaire was used to collect data and observation schedule of records in schools. Data collected was analysed by use of descriptive statistics and results presented in percentage means and frequency counts. Conclusions and recommendation were also made based on research findings.