John Gikonyo, a father of two living in Nairobi, is one of the many Kenyans silently battling non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
For the past 16 years, he has lived with hypertension. He also suffers from chronic kidney disease — a condition that requires lifelong medication and post-transplant care.
“I have lived with hypertension for 16 years, with my condition remaining fairly stable and well-controlled, especially after I learned the importance of sticking to medication,” Gikonyo said. “I currently get my prescription every three months, during which my post-transplant immunosuppressant drugs are also reviewed.”
His medical costs are overwhelming. Gikonyo pays for most of his treatment out of pocket since his insurance only covers in-patient services.
“Living with hypertension and kidney disease is a very expensive affair. It takes an emotional toll — from medications, special diets and regular clinic visits to laboratory tests. It’s a never-ending cycle of financial strain,” he said. “This lifestyle also limits one’s ability to work, thus complicating matters even further.”
Gikonyo’s experience mirrors what many Kenyans living with NCDs go through — a compelling reason why Kenya urgently needs stronger policies to prevent and manage these chronic conditions.
Experts and advocates agree that a national food policy is an essential part of that response.
At the recent 10th Annual Kenya Diabetes Study Group Scientific Conference in Naivasha, Dr Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, acknowledged the burden of NCDs — particularly diabetes — on individuals and the health system.
“The high cost of treating diabetes is one of the major challenges our patients face,” he said. “We are working with manufacturers of diabetic products and medicines to cut treatment costs by around 50 per cent.”
Oluga said Kenya has more than 800,000 people diagnosed with diabetes — and possibly up to two million more undiagnosed or pre-diabetic.
To address this, the Ministry of Health is now collaborating with 107,000 newly recruited community health promoters to expand prevention, screening and care services across the country.
According to the National Council for Population and Development, NCDs account for over 50 per cent of hospital admissions and 55 per cent of hospital deaths in Kenya.
Diabetes alone affects an estimated 4.56 per cent of adults — about 750,000 people — and causes roughly 20,000 deaths annually.
Cancer, another NCD, is now the second leading cause of NCD-related deaths after cardiovascular disease.
Experts attribute the rise of NCDs to aging, urbanisation and increasingly unhealthy diets high in sugars, fats and salt, but low in fruits and vegetables.
Alarmingly, 94 per cent of Kenyans consume fewer than the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, while a significant portion rely on unhealthy cooking fats.
“High blood pressure, high blood sugar and obesity are closely tied to unhealthy diets — especially those rich in saturated fats, trans fats, sodium and added sugars,” says the International Institute for Legislative Affairs.
In response, public health advocates are calling for clear front-of-package warning labels (FOPWL) on processed foods. These labels — already adopted in countries such as Chile and Mexico – help consumers quickly identify products high in harmful ingredients, making healthier choices easier.
“We strongly advocate for urgent implementation of evidence-based mandatory FOPWLs in Kenya,” said Celine Awuor, CEO of IILA. “Clear labeling empowers parents to make informed food choices and protects children’s health from the dangers of excessive sugar, salt, and fat.”
Such policies, experts argue, do more than influence individual behavior. They can also reshape the broader food environment and drive long-term improvements in public health.
For Kenyans like Gikonyo, stronger food policies — starting with better labeling — could mean fewer people developing preventable conditions, and fewer families bearing the heavy emotional and financial cost of chronic disease.
