Streamlining SMART survey processes in support of a high quality, nationally owned nutrition information system in Kenya

What we know: Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions (SMART) methodology is widely used in Kenya by governments and partners, in both arid and semi-arid areas, in nutrition surveillance and early warning systems. What this article adds: From 2013 onwards, the processes for conducting SMART surveys in Kenya were streamlined, harmonised and institutionalised under the coordination and leadership of the national Nutrition Information Technical Working Group (NITWG). Key actions to streamline processes included the development of guidelines and standard processes, capacity building, the development of task forces, the setting up of systems to validate all survey methods pre-survey and preliminary results post-survey and the management of a common data repository. The result of these actions has been increased capacity among government staff at both national and county level, improved capacity for the coordination of resource mobilisation and joint planning and survey training. Overall results achieved are the greater national ownership of survey management and results (including greater government funding), government-led survey implementation, data that is comparable over time and between geographic areas and the use of data to inform timely nutrition actions as well as to inform other sectors and the overall situation analysis in the country. Key drivers of this success include the commitment to capacitate national staff at all levels, succession planning, consistent stakeholder communication and the availability of complementary data for situations (such as in COVID-19) when SMART surveys could not be undertaken.