Kenyan researchers have been encouraged to come up with innovations on alternative nutritious meals to help fight malnutrition and curb the growing incidences of lifestyle diseases including obesity, hypertension, diabetes and cancer among others.

Egerton University Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics, Research and Extension Prof.

Bernard Aduda noted that the malnutrition crisis had been compounded by shifting dietary patterns in Kenya's growing urban middle class, which has seen a shift towards unhealthier, westernized dietary patterns. "I call upon our scientists and researchers to shift focus on more alternative nutritious meals.

I have heard about innovations like cricket blended cakes and porridge and food manufactured from insects and indigenous vegetables.  More can be done in this area to achieve food nutrition and security," he noted.