The country is trapped in an unhealthy food environment where junk food is aggressively marketed, cheaper, and easier to find than healthy options, spiking cases of diabetes and heart disease.
Kenya is facing a growing crisis of diet-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease. In response, Members of Parliament, health experts, and advocacy groups recently called for stronger laws to make healthy food more accessible and curb unhealthy food marketing and availability.
Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are killing more Kenyans and striking younger people. According to the Ministry of Health, this is now a crisis for all ages.
The 2023 Global Burden of Disease report shows that deaths from NCDs in Kenya have risen steadily, from 36 per cent in 2021 to 43 per cent in 2023 and “Thirty per cent of these deaths occur among people under the age of 40. Women are disproportionately affected, with obesity prevalence at 17.3 per cent compared to 4 per cent among men,” Dr Gladwell Gathecha, Head of the Non-Communicable Diseases Department at the Ministry of Health.
Dr Gahecha was speaking during a stakeholder event convened by the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) where she told MPs and health experts that plant-based diets reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and colorectal cancer, while diets high in added sugars, processed foods, and salt contribute directly to weight gain, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes.
Social-media food marketing is unhealthy, over half is aimed directly at children
Dr Gershim Asiki from APHRC explained that food choices are heavily influenced by the environment around us: physical, economic, cultural and political.
Research shows Kenya is in an unhealthy food environment, where junk food is aggressively marketed, cheaper, and easier to find than healthy options. This is leading to soaring rates of obesity, disease, and healthcare costs.
One of the most alarming findings is the targeting of children. APHRC’s 2022 study shows 48 per cent of ads around schools push unhealthy foods; 80 per cent of TV food adverts promote unhealthy options, spiking from 20 an hour off-peak to 120 at peak; and 88 per cent of social-media food marketing is unhealthy, with over half aimed directly at children under 13.
Dr Asiki warned that “With social media access growing and TV viewership reaching even rural areas, children are heavily exposed to unhealthy food advertising, especially during peak viewing hours.”
A Lancet study he cited shows that in 2019, 11 million deaths worldwide were linked to diets high in salt and sugar and low in fruits and vegetables. Ultra-processed foods raise the risk of obesity by 50 per cent, hypertension by 23 per cent, and colorectal cancer by up to 72 per cent.
Global evidence is clear: regulating food environments is one of the most effective ways to cut NCDs. Dr Asiki highlighted proven strategies like reducing salt, sugar, and saturated fats in foods; limiting unhealthy food marketing, especially to children; using taxes and subsidies to shift diets; ensuring healthy food in schools, hospitals, and workplaces; clear front-of-pack labels; zoning laws to limit fast-food outlets; and simple retail fixes like placing healthier options at checkout.
Norway, Australia, the UK have already limited unhealthy food marketing
For Kenya, front-of-pack labelling stands out as a high-impact intervention. “Our current labels are too complicated. We need simple, graphic warning labels that anyone can understand at a glance,” Dr Asiki said.
Countries like Norway, Australia, and the UK have already limited unhealthy food marketing. In Latin America, countries like Chile, Mexico and Argentina use strict warning labels that have sharply reduced consumption of unhealthy foods.
Dr Shukri Mohamed of APHRC outlined a four-part policy package for Kenya: front-of-pack labelling, restrictions on marketing to children, healthy procurement rules, and fiscal measures such as sugary drink taxes. She stressed that no single policy can fix the food environment. Kenya thus needs a combined approach.
She noted that 73 per cent of packaged foods and 74 per cent of non-alcoholic drinks in Kenya are unhealthy, making clear nutrition labels essential. Simple warnings like “High in Sugar” or “High in Salt” help consumers make quick, healthier choices. She also pointed to ongoing EAC efforts to create regional labelling standards and said Kenya has a chance to lead.
On taxes, she said sugary drink levies both cut consumption and generate revenue for health programmes, school feeding, and UHC. Kenya already taxes fruit juices and soft drinks, but experts say the current rates are too low to curb high-sugar consumption.
Basic Education Act to curb unhealthy food marketing and sales around schools
Fabian Oriri from APHRC outlined key legal paths: amend the Consumer Protection Act to mandate front-of-pack labels, the Basic Education Act to curb unhealthy food marketing and sales around schools, and the Excise Duty Act to raise taxes on sugary drinks and other unhealthy products.
“This approach has worked in countries like Mexico… Canada… and Peru,” he noted, each having amended national laws to introduce warning labels and marketing limits.
He added that Kenya also needs a stand-alone law on healthy food environments. “This law would consolidate all measures – labelling, marketing restrictions, procurement rules, and taxation.” APHRC is urging Parliament to consider a “Promotion of Healthy Eating Act” to anchor these protections.
Hon Bernard Kitur, MP for Nandi Hills and sponsor of the proposed bill on unhealthy food environments, said the initiative has strong parliamentary support and must move quickly. “Our children need access to healthy foods and be in a position to make informed choices as they grow.”
Hon Dr James Nyikal, Chair of the Health Committee, urged experts to help MPs draft practical laws, stressing the need to balance health and affordability. “If you put taxes on food to prevent illness, ensure you do not make food inaccessible to the poor.”
Let us disconnect people from their attachment to unhealthy food
Hon Charles Nguna Ngusya, MP Mwingi West, called for alignment with EAC standards and stronger oversight on pesticides and KEBS certification to keep unsafe foods off the market.
Titus Lotee, MP Kacheliba, warned that children are being targeted and pushed for both legislation and public education. “Let us disconnect people from their attachment to unhealthy food.”
Hon Irene Mayaka, nominated MP, pointed to the Malabo Declaration and emphasised stronger enforcement and grassroots awareness.
Hon Titus Mukhwana, MP Lurambi, cautioned that laws need public buy-in. “You can legislate many times, but if the public does not buy in, it will fail.”
Hon Caroli Omondi, MP Suba South, advised framing the policy as a health and economic burden-reduction strategy, not a tax push, and anchoring it in constitutional consumer rights under Articles 35, 42, and 46.
Children are increasingly targeted by unhealthy food industries
Hon Robert Pukose, MP Endebess, supported a stand-alone law aligned with existing food-safety frameworks, warned against creating new authorities, and stressed working closely with Treasury and Trade on fiscal measures. He noted the bill will be introduced as a private member’s bill and, after scrutiny, should progress smoothly “as long as the key issues raised are addressed.”
According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, 20 per cent of Kenyans consume sugary drinks daily, 70.4 per cent of women aged 15–49 consume sweetened beverages, and 34.5 per cent frequently consume unhealthy foods.
APHRC notes that Kenya has strong institutional capacity, political momentum, and constitutional backing to adopt effective food-environment regulations. What remains is for Parliament to take decisive action.
Without bold legislative action, the rise in NCDs will undermine the nation’s health, productivity, and economy. Children are increasingly targeted by unhealthy food industries, while families face rising medical costs from preventable diseases.
The proposed law, anchored in mandatory front-of-pack labels, marketing restrictions, healthy procurement standards, and fiscal measures, offers a realistic, evidence-based solution.
As Hon. Nyikal concluded, “There can be no bigger medicine than food.” The decisions made today will determine the health and well-being of future generations.
