Director of Nutrition and Dietetics Services, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Ministry of Health, Kenya
Veronica Kirogo is a registered Nutritionist with extensive experience in policy development, program implementation, and multisectoral coordination to improve nutrition outcomes in Kenya. As the Director of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Ministry of Health, she leads national nutrition policies and strategies, including the Kenya Nutrition Action Plan (KNAP), with a strong focus on maternal, infant and young child nutrition.
A champion of breastfeeding advocacy, Veronica has been instrumental in advancing breastfeeding protection, promotion, and support through key policies such as the Breast Milk Substitutes (Regulation and Control) Act, Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), human milk banking, and workplace breastfeeding support programs. She has also played a crucial role in strengthening community-based breastfeeding interventions such as Baby-Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI), ensuring equitable access to skilled breastfeeding counseling for all mothers, especially in vulnerable settings.
Recognizing the ethical challenges in breastfeeding interventions, Veronica has been at the forefront of addressing issues such as unethical marketing of breast milk substitutes, and access disparities for working mothers and marginalized communities. Her work integrates public health ethics principles to balance individual autonomy, public health responsibility, and commercial influences, ensuring breastfeeding promotion is both equitable and rights-based.
Speakers >> Veronica Kirogo