In a key step toward the establishment of a healthy food policy package, Kenya has officially adopted the Kenya Nutrient Profile Model (KNPM)—an essential tool that will guide policies to improve the country’s food environment and protect the public from diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
A Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) is a tool used to classify foods according to their nutritional content with a focus on preventing diet-related diseases and promoting health. It’s especially useful for informing policies that regulate unhealthy products, particularly those high in nutrients of concern like sugar, salt and saturated fat. Consumption of excessive ingredients and nutrients of concern can lead to severe negative health impacts, including diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer. A NPM can provide the underpinning for several healthy food policies, including fiscal policies, front-of-package labeling, marketing restrictions, procurement and school feeding.
Global Health Advocacy Incubator civil society organization partners in Kenya, including, the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA), the Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network (KELIN), the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and the Noncommunicable Diseases Alliance of Kenya (NCDAK) formed a coalition that worked tirelessly to achieve this win in Kenya. They initially advocated to block the adoption of a much weaker NPM that included nutrient thresholds that were too high - meaning the limits for unhealthy ingredients like sugar, salt or saturated fat were set so high that many unhealthy products would still not be regulated under healthy food policies, as well as exemptions for thresholds for certain product categories and nutrients of concern. Thanks to persistent advocacy and strategic action by the coalition, civil society leaders were able to have a seat at the policymaking table and push for stronger standards, ultimately transforming the NPM to more effectively protect public health.
Kenya is now the first country in the East African Community (EAC) to officially adopt an NPM—positioning itself as a leader in food policy for the region and creating momentum for future measures. The next step is the adoption of front-of-package warning labels (FOPWL), which are clear, easy-to-understand symbols placed on the front of packaged foods to warn consumers when products are high in harmful nutrients such as sugar, salt or unhealthy fats. Alongside this, Kenya is also paving the way for stronger restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages.
IILA and KELIN led the way in engaging with policymakers, participating in technical meetings and providing support through the review of draft policy documents. Their advocacy ensured that evidence and public health priorities were reflected in the final policy. They worked closely with decision-makers and made the case for stronger regulations, using position papers, research and global best practices to support their recommendations.
Supporting them were key partners like the NCCK, which helped build public awareness and support through outreach to religious communities and media engagement. NCDAK focused on amplifying the conversation in the media, including sensitizing journalists to report on food policy issues. The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) provided crucial evidence, including local research that demonstrated the effectiveness of black, “high in” octagonal warning labels in helping Kenyan consumers reduce their intentions to purchase unhealthy foods. The NPM’s Annex features the black octagonal label proven to be most effective by APHRC’s research.
GHAI‘s supported this work, offering strategic guidance and technical expertise across multiple areas, including research, media advocacy, legal strategy and tactics to counter industry interference.
As IILA Chief Executive Officer Celine Awuor reflected, “The adoption of the Kenya Nutrient Profile Model marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s public health journey. This policy achievement is not only the result of rigorous technical engagement but also a testament to the power of sustained civil society advocacy. The KNPM will serve as a foundational tool to shape a healthier food environment by ensuring that policies like front-of-package warning labels and marketing restrictions of unhealthy foods to children are backed by strong, evidence-based criteria. We are proud that Kenya is leading the region in prioritizing public health, and we hope our progress sets a precedent for other EAC countries. Our work now shifts toward effective implementation and continued collaboration to safeguard the health of all Kenyans.”
Martha Ogutu, KELIN Senior Programme Officer comments “The public release of the Kenya Nutrient Profile Model is a powerful milestone, a testament to the Ministry of Health’s Commitment to ensure a healthy food environment. It marks a tangible step toward creating a nourishing food environment for our children and Kenyans in general; It equally gives zeal to the food environment policy journey that KELIN and other like-minded institutions embarked on to champion evidence based healthy food policies.”
The KNPM is not just a win for one country—it is a beacon for the region. As Tanzania and Uganda continue pushing for front-of-package labeling policies, Kenya’s leadership offers a concrete example of how advocacy and coalition power can lead to strong, evidence-based regulation free from conflict of interest. With the KNPM now officially adopted, Kenya is better equipped to continue with efforts to implement policies that will protect the public from diet-related NCDs—and inspire similar action across East Africa and beyond.
