Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has proposed imposing a targeted tax on imported sugar as part of efforts to address the growing burden of diabetes and other lifestyle-related diseases in Kenya, The Star reported.
Speaking at the Health Integration Summit 2026 held in Shanzu, Nassir said the country needs to link public health policies with financial measures to tackle the rise in non-communicable diseases.
The summit was attended by key health officials, including Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, along with development partners and health experts.
Nassir, who also heads the health committee of the Council of Governors, warned that counties are seeing a sharp increase in cases of diabetes, hypertension and other chronic illnesses linked to high sugar consumption and changing diets.
He said the rising number of patients is putting pressure on county hospitals, which handle long-term treatments such as dialysis and heart-related care.
“If the current trend continues, these diseases will place a major financial strain on the health system,” he said.
To address this, the governor suggested taxing imported sugar to both reduce consumption and generate revenue. He proposed that the funds collected be set aside and routed through the Social Health Authority to support counties in improving screening, treatment and management of such diseases.
He said counties bear the main responsibility for treating these conditions and should receive direct support from revenue generated through products that contribute to them.
Nassir added that similar tax measures have been used in other countries to discourage unhealthy consumption while also strengthening healthcare funding.
