Abstract:
The coVid-19 pandemic and associated policy responses disproportionately affected
low-income households in nairobi, Kenya. This study sought to provide empirical evidence on
the responses of urban slum dwellers to the impact of coVid-19 on their diets and to
determine the effectiveness of these responses. The study used four-wave balanced panel
data collected during the pandemic from 437 households in Kibera and Mathare slums. To
answer the research questions, the study calculated household Food consumption Scores
from the 7-day food consumption data, together with other socio-economic indicators
collected in the surveys. Triangulation was also done using Key informant interviews with
community leaders. The study employed a combination of descriptive analysis and Fixed
effects model to analyze the survey data, and content analysis for key informant data. Results
show that during the coVid-19 pandemic, only 38% of slum dwellers had consistently
acceptable diets, while another two-thirds (61%) of the households fluctuated between
acceptable and unacceptable diets, indicating the vulnerability of urban slum dwellers’ diets
to food system shocks such as the coVid-19 pandemic. household response strategies
included changing consumption behavior, reorganizing household finances, reducing urban
household size, prioritizing children’s access to food, relying on social networks, and relying
on household food production. Some coping strategies were ineffective in improving the
dietary intake of urban slum dwellers. however, changing consumption behavior by eating
less preferred foods was associated with improved dietary intake. conversely, changing
consumption behavior by skipping meals, eating less variety of foods, and reducing urban
household size were negatively associated with improved dietary intake. The study also finds
that self-employment to generate higher income played a critical role in improving the diet
of slum dwellers during the coVid-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that targeted strategies
to stabilize livelihoods, incomes, and food access are critical to building resilience and
responding to food system crises.
