Public Urged to Reduce Sugar Intake After Health Report

Kenyan health officials are sounding the alarm after a recent policy reform highlighted the country’s growing burden of non‑communicable diseases (NCDs), which they link to excessive sugar consumption. The Ministry of Health unveiled a new Nutrient Profile Model (NPM), setting clear sugar thresholds for packaged foods and sugary beverages in a bid to improve public health nutrition.
As part of the reforms, the government is also proposing a Health Promotion Levy on sugar-sweetened beverages. Under this plan, drinks with more than 4 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres would be taxed — locally made products would pay KSh 1 for each extra gram, while imported drinks would pay KSh 2. Proponents say the levy could both discourage unhealthy drinking habits and raise funds for public health programs.
In addition, the Ministry of Health has announced plans to limit advertising of high-sugar foods and drinks to children, especially on media platforms. Officials argue that reducing children’s exposure to sugary marketing is essential to curb early adoption of unhealthy dietary habits that contribute to obesity and diabetes.
Public health experts and policymakers are calling for a combined strategy: fiscal measures like the sugar levy, regulatory reforms on food marketing, and strong front-of-pack nutrition labeling. The goal, they say, is to make it easier for Kenyans to make healthier dietary choices and reduce the long-term economic and health burden of diet-related NCDs.