How taxing sugary drinks could be Kenya's answer to lifestyle diseases

How taxing sugary drinks could be Kenya's answer to lifestyle diseases Male worker examining bottles in juice factory. [Courtesy/GettyImages] About a month ago, Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur appeared before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning during public hearings on the Finance Bill 2025 and proposed the introduction of a health promotion levy. As a health research scientist, this proposition presented a glimmer of hope for our nation's health environment. However, I recognize that any new tax proposal raises valid concerns about increasing the burden on already strained citizens. Yet, if we consider the MP's proposal from a health perspective, it may well be the intervention we have been waiting for to curb the rising cases of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Kitur proposed taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages. The levy would target drinks with more than four grams of sugar per 100 milliliters. For those exceeding the limit, locally produced drinks would be charged Sh1 per gramme of sugar per 100ml, while imported soft drinks would be taxed double at Sh2 per gramme. The urgency behind this proposal becomes clear when we examine Kenya's health landscape. Kenya faces a growing NCD crisis, with diabetes prevalence standing at 3.1 per cent of the adult population-nearly a million adults-and is projected to double by 2050. Obesity rates are climbing steadily among both adults and children. The economic burden on our healthcare system continues to mount, making prevention strategies more critical than ever. Recent studies on the effects of sugar-sweetened beverages on the body show clear association with rising cases of NCDs such as diabetes and obesity. A typical carbonated soft drink contains about nine teaspoons, 35 grammes of sugar and around 140 calories, delivering energy but little nutritional value. These beverages are usually consumed quickly and do not provide the same feeling of fullness that solid food does. This means consumers don't typically reduce intake of other foods to compensate for the extra calories. The result is excess calories contributing to overweight and obesity as they are easily converted to body fat. Over time, this builds a major public health problem. This health-focused approach offers significant advantages over the existing revenue-based model. The strength of this new strategy lies in its dual benefit: discouraging excess sugar consumption through higher prices and enhancing transparency in labeling. If implemented, the levy would require manufacturers and importers to declare sugar content during registration, production or importation. This could drive reformulation to reduce sugar content while generating funds for public health campaigns and school nutrition programmes. Kenyans now face a choice: continue treating diabetes and obesity after they develop, or embrace proactive policies that prevent them in the first place. The evidence is clear, the need is urgent, and the solution is before us. Let's not dismiss this as another tax. Let's recognise this as a public health tool, an investment in our nation's long-term well-being and economic stability. Dr Mohamed is a research scientist at the African Population and Health Research Center in Nairobi

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