Nandi Hills Member of Parliament Bernard Kitur has proposed the introduction of a Health Promotion Levy on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) as a step to combat the growing number of health problems linked to high sugar consumption in Kenya.
Speaking on Thursday during a session with the National Assembly’s Finance Committee, currently conducting public hearings on the Finance Bill 2025, Kitur said the increasing intake of sugary drinks is contributing to a rise in non-communicable diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
“To address this public health crisis, we are proposing the introduction of a Health Promotion Levy on soft drinks,” Kitur said. “The goal is to reduce sugar consumption, push companies to create healthier products, and raise funds to support public health initiatives.”
According to his proposal, locally produced drinks containing more than 4 grams of sugar per 100 millilitres would be taxed at Ksh1 for each extra gram above the threshold. Imported drinks would face a higher levy of Ksh2 per gram over the same limit.
Kitur suggested that the money collected through this levy be used to strengthen public health services. He proposed funding school feeding programmes, nutrition improvements in schools, public awareness campaigns, and upgrades to healthcare facilities.
“This levy will not only help improve the health of Kenyans but also promote responsible behavior in the soft drinks industry,” he added. “We urge Parliament to support this proposal for the sake of public health and long-term economic stability.”
The MP said raising prices on sugary drinks could discourage their purchase and lead manufacturers to reduce the sugar content in their products. He added that Kenya could follow in the footsteps of countries like South Africa, which introduced a similar tax in 2018 to address rising cases of diabetes and obesity.
