Public Awareness Drive Launched on Healthy Eating Habits

The Kenyan Ministry of Health has rolled out a major public awareness campaign aimed at promoting healthy eating as part of its broader effort to curb diet‑related diseases. Central to the initiative is the recently published Kenya Nutrient Profile Model (KNPM), which sets nutrient thresholds for salt, sugar, and saturated fat. (Using the KNPM, the Ministry is educating consumers on how to read food labels and make healthier choices, especially in processed and packaged products.
Another pillar of the campaign involves tighter regulation of food marketing, particularly targeting children. Under proposed rules, the Ministry plans to restrict advertising of food products high in unhealthy nutrients. These regulatory efforts are paired with public education drives to encourage balanced diets and reduce the risk of non‑communicable diseases.
To reach more households, the Ministry is engaging community health promoters through its existing eCHIS (electronic Community Health Information System) network, reinforcing the role of grassroots workers in delivering nutrition messages. In low-income urban and peri-urban areas, partners like the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) are establishing FoodFiti Zones — neighbourhood hubs where people can access affordable, nutrient-rich vegetables and learn about healthy meal planning.
Health experts are optimistic that this combined approach — combining regulation, education, and access — could help shift Kenyan diets over the long term. By promoting healthy choices, improving food environments, and empowering consumers, the Ministry hopes to reduce the rising burden of malnutrition, obesity, and other diet-related illnesses.