Kibra: Digital platform launched to help parents monitor children's health

Parents and caregivers in Kibra now have a new digital tool to help monitor their children's health after the launch of the Kito Health App, a free platform designed to improve access to preventive healthcare and child wellness information.

The app, developed by not-for-profit organisation Kito Health in partnership with the Kibra Sub-County Health team, was officially unveiled at the DCC Grounds in Kibra.

It aims to support parents, caregivers and healthcare workers by providing child health education, immunisation tracking, nutrition guidance, developmental milestone monitoring and timely health reminders. 

It offers first-aid guidance, trusted health information, and symptom-based triage algorithms designed by qualified medical professionals. 

By answering simple questions about a child’s symptoms, users receive clear advice on what the symptoms may mean and what action to take next, including when to seek care.

Speaking during the launch, Kito Health Chief Executive Officer Tom Nyakaba said the platform was created to bridge information gaps and empower families to make informed decisions about their children's health.

Among those present were Nairobi County Director of Preventive and Promotive Health Carol Ngunu and Kibra Sub-County Medical Officer of Health Dr Asma Awadh.

Health officials said the app could play an important role in improving childhood health outcomes by encouraging parents to keep up with routine immunisations and seek medical attention early when concerns arise.

According to the developers, the digital platform focuses on preventive healthcare by giving families easy access to reliable health information while helping them stay on top of vaccination schedules and child development milestones.

The rollout comes as Kenya continues to explore digital health solutions to improve healthcare delivery, particularly at the community level where access to timely information can significantly influence health outcomes.

For many parents in informal settlements such as Kibra, where healthcare challenges remain common, such apps are seen as a practical tool for managing children's health from birth through early childhood.

According to data from the Ministry of Health and UNICEF, Nairobi and Mombasa account for more than 60,000 zero-dose children, representing roughly 13 per cent of all completely unvaccinated infants in Kenya.

While the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey shows national basic immunisation coverage at 80 per cent, dense urban informal settlements like Kibra face steep drop-off rates past a child's first birthday.