By Ivyn Kipruto
A staggering 73 percent of packaged foods and 74 percent of non-alcoholic beverages sold in Kenya are unhealthy, according to new data presented to lawmakers triggering urgent calls for a comprehensive national nutrition policy to protect consumers from rising diet-related diseases.
The analysis shows that supermarket shelves are increasingly dominated by highly processed products laden with excess sugar, salt, saturated fats, and total fats. Health experts warn that these products are fueling a surge in lifestyle illnesses among children, adolescents, and young adults.
“The food Kenyans consume is quietly reducing life expectancy,” said MP Bernard Kitur, noting a worrying shift in disease trends. “At just 30, many youths are battling diabetes, obesity, and cancer. Their bodies are aging faster than their actual age.”
The proposed nutrition policy seeks to introduce clear front-of-pack labels, making it mandatory for manufacturers to indicate when foods contain high levels of sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats. Policymakers say this will enable shoppers to make quick, informed decisions at a glance.
Compliance data shows widespread disregard for healthy nutrition guidelines by producers, prompting experts to stress the need for large-scale public education. Officials say bridging the “know–do gap”—where Kenyans understand the risks but fail to act—is essential for changing consumption patterns.
The policy also proposes a transformative shift in government-controlled institutions. Schools, hospitals, prisons, and other public facilities would be required to serve meals aligned with the Kenya Nutrition Profile Model (KNPM), guaranteeing millions of Kenyans daily access to healthier food.
To reshape the food environment, fiscal measures are under consideration, including taxes on unhealthy products and subsidies for nutritious food production. Advocates say this would make healthy foods more affordable while generating new public revenue for health spending.
“A good diet will help prevent non-communicable diseases and reduce the long-term health burden on our population,” said health expert Dr. Shukri Mohamed.
Without swift intervention, experts warn that Kenya’s escalating burden of diet-related illnesses will continue to erode productivity, inflate healthcare costs, and lower life expectancy.
“We must act now,” Kitur urged. “What we put on our plates is becoming a silent killer.”
