On 14th February 2025, KEPSA Foundation, led by its Executive Director, Ms. Gloria Ndekei, hosted the inaugural Better Business Practices for Children (BBPC) Champions meeting at Cedars Restaurant in Gigiri, Nairobi. The meeting focused on discussing the priorities of the BBPC project and the role of champions in influencing organizational policies and practices to support Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN). Champions attending the event were representatives from various private sector organizations, including Giants Group Twiga, Kenya Association of Women in Tourism (KAWT), Kenya Women Microfinance Bank (KWFT), Bamburi Cement PLC, Mabati Rolling Mills, Lato Milk Limited, Telesky Limited, Davis & Shirtliff Group, Lukenya Schools, and Co-operative Bank of Kenya.
Ms. Ndekei shared a brief history of the partnership with UNICEF on the BBPC initiative, which began in 2010 when 28 companies committed to adopting the implementation of Better Business Practices for Children (BBPC). Since then, the Foundation has successfully implemented three phases of the Better Business Practices for Children (BBPC) initiative, aimed at creating a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers in the workplace. She highlighted several key successes from previous phases, including advocacy for the enactment of the Breast Milk Substitutes (BMS) Regulations and Control Act, 2012, and the Health Act, 2017, both of which protect, support, and promote breastfeeding. Additionally, the development of the inaugural Private Sector Policy, sensitization of over 1,000 companies on BBPC, with more than 100 companies adopting the practice, and an impact reaching over 1.2 million women and caregivers.
Ms. Ndekei emphasized that the current phase of BBPC implementation will focus on continued advocacy for young employees’ wellness, specifically in balancing work and childcare. She underscored the primary role of women and mothers in determining the diets in their homes. Exclusive 6 months of breastfeeding would be encouraged by the establishment of lactation stations and crèches, parental leave, flexible working hours, and remote work options. It was therefore strategic to involve young men and women ambassadors as champions of good nutrition and BBPC. It will also promote a holistic food systems approach, highlighting the importance of creating a supportive food environment and the impact of proper nutrition in addressing the triple burden of malnutrition (overnutrition, undernutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies) which cause stunting and wasting in children.
Additionally, the initiative aims to empower women in vulnerable communities through mentorship for income-generating activities and the development of a Hybrid Chama Agenda. This phase is being implemented across five counties: Embu, Kirinyaga, Makueni, Nairobi, and Taita Taveta.
Ms. Ndekei urged companies to prioritize Children’s Rights and Business Principles in their efforts to implement key responsible business practices, Corporate Social Investments, and other Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks. She emphasized that this approach will empower families to make informed decisions regarding health, nutrition, education, and overall well-being.
KEPSA’s Director of Education, Sports, Arts & Culture, and ICT, Ms. Mutheu Kasanga, emphasized the critical role of proper nutrition in giving children, including those in the critical stages of Early Child Development (ECD) a strong start in life, ultimately contributing to a healthier future workforce. She praised the BBPC initiative and highlighted the importance of reaching both underprivileged and well-off communities with nutritional messages, noting that this will significantly promote healthier food choices.
Representatives from the participating organizations discussed their current and planned initiatives to support expectant mothers, including reassigning lighter duties, providing medical coverage, offering maternity leave, implementing flexible and remote work options, and establishing lactation centres equipped with refrigeration facilities.
Other organizations are engaged in projects that align with their core activities, such as supporting children in local schools through donations of equipment like computers, building facilities like laboratories, and providing water and energy. They also offer employee assistance programs, including counselling services for employees’ children. In addition, these organizations sponsor underprivileged children from primary school through university, offer family health and wellness programs, and have established clinics at major sites.
KEPSA Foundation’s commitment under its key focus priority pillar empowerment of Women, Youth, Persons with Disabilities and Childcare is reflected in its continuous efforts to improve maternal and child welfare in the workplace through the Better Business Practices for Children (BBPC) initiative. By focusing on maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) and promoting supportive workplace practices, KEPSA Foundation is not only enhancing the health and well-being of children and mothers but also encouraging businesses to prioritize the welfare of children in their operations. The integration of childcare-related initiatives into business practices not only supports the immediate needs of parents but also contributes to long-term societal benefits by investing in the next generation’s development.
