MPs Back Bold Push to Ban Junk Food Ads Aimed at Children in Landmark Health-Education Reform
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Parliament is moving closer to outlawing junk food marketing targeting children, following a high-level consultative meeting today between the National Assembly Education Committee, Ministry of Health officials, and the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK).
Chaired by Hon. Mary Emaase, the meeting focused on proposed amendments to the Children Act and Basic Education Act aimed at protecting children from the rising threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which now account for 50% of hospital admissions and 39% of deaths in Kenya.
NCCK Chairperson, Rev. Dr. Elias Ogolla, proposed the addition of Section 16A to the Children Act, ensuring every child’s right to basic quality nutrition and shielding them from aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods. He cited the need for policies such as warning labels on packaging and tighter restrictions on junk food promotions.
“These amendments will help actualize children’s constitutional right to adequate food and health,” said Rev. Ogolla.
The NCCK also called for changes to the Basic Education Act to embed child health and nutrition into school programs, including a mandate for County Education Boards to establish school health committees.
The Ministry of Health echoed concerns over the economic burden of treating NCDs and backed preventive policies targeting young populations.
Hon. Mary Emaase praised the initiative, saying, “We must shield our children from the influence of junk food and build school environments that foster lifelong healthy habits.”
If passed, the amendments would mark a groundbreaking shift in Kenya’s approach to child health, bringing education and healthcare into a powerful new alliance.
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