Nutritionists Urge Kenyans to Reduce Sugar Intake

Nutrition and public‑health advocates in Kenya are calling for urgent action to curb excessive sugar consumption, warning that high sugar intake is a major driver of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, obesity, and heart conditions. With rising cases of these illnesses, experts say sugar-sweetened beverages are a particularly dangerous culprit.
To address this, some lawmakers are pushing for policy measures. Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur has proposed a Health Promotion Levy on sugary drinks in the 2025 Finance Bill. Under his proposal, beverages containing more than 4 grams of sugar per 100ml would be taxed — the levy aims both to discourage excessive sugar consumption and raise funds for public health initiatives.
Alongside taxation, nutritionists are calling for stronger consumer protection and food labelling: campaigners argue for front-of-pack warning labels on products that exceed safe sugar thresholds. These labels would help people make healthier choices by clearly identifying items high in sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats.
Experts also emphasise the need for public-health education to change eating habits. They recommend community-based awareness campaigns on the risks of too much sugar, encouraging food and drink reformulation by manufacturers, and integrating healthy diet messages into school and community nutrition programs.