Jobs for BSc Food, Nutrition and Dietetics Graduates

Nutrition as a regulated profession

A BSc in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics trains you to assess diets, plan therapeutic feeding, manage malnutrition and advise on food and health. In Kenya the profession is regulated under the Nutritionists and Dieticians Act, 2007, which established the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI). KNDI registers and licenses nutritionists and dietitians, and a valid licence is expected for clinical and public sector roles.

Where nutritionists work

• Hospital dietitian roles, planning feeds for patients with diabetes, kidney disease, cancer and malnutrition
• County nutrition officer posts that run maternal, infant and school nutrition programmes
• NGO and humanitarian nutrition programmes, particularly in arid and semi-arid counties
• Food industry, product development and quality roles, and private practice or corporate wellness

Entry requirements

Places are allocated through KUCCPS, usually requiring a C+ mean grade with good grades in Biology and Chemistry. Diploma holders in nutrition and dietetics can upgrade through university programmes with credit for previous study.

Getting into the field

Licensing and internship requirements are set by KNDI, so plan for them as soon as you graduate. Humanitarian nutrition work often requires familiarity with community management of acute malnutrition and with anthropometric surveys; short courses on these topics are offered by NGOs and universities. Hospital roles value strong clinical knowledge and the ability to counsel patients clearly in English and Kiswahili.

A growing area

Rising rates of diabetes, hypertension and obesity in Kenyan towns are increasing demand for dietitians in private hospitals, clinics and wellness programmes. Nutritionists who can communicate well, including through social media and community talks, can build private practices or consultancy work alongside employment.

Career progression

Nutritionists usually move from nutrition officer to senior officer and then programme or departmental head. A master's in nutrition, public health or food science opens technical advisor roles with international organisations and research posts. Some nutritionists move into food industry quality and regulatory work, which links closely with food science careers.