KELIN has been appointed to the Ministry of Health’s Food Environment Policies Steering Committee, reinforcing its ongoing collaboration with government on strengthening nutrition and public health policy in Kenya.
Over the past few years, KELIN has worked closely with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to advance reforms aimed at creating healthier food environments, particularly for children. As Co-Chair of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on marketing restrictions, KELIN has provided legal and human rights analysis to support draft regulations seeking to limit the marketing of unhealthy foods and non-alcoholic beverages to children.
With rising rates of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Kenya, KELIN’s contribution has focused on ensuring that emerging regulations are legally sound, aligned with Article 43 of the Constitution on the right to health, and grounded in transparency and accountability. The organisation has consistently advocated for strong child protections within the policy framework.
KELIN is also a member of the Front-of-Pack Labelling Technical Working Group, where it contributed to the development of Kenya’s Nutrient Profile Model released in July 2025. The model guides the design of front-of-pack labelling to help consumers easily identify products high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. Through comparative analysis of international best practice and legal review, KELIN has supported the development of a labelling approach that is clear, evidence-based and practical.
Commenting on the appointment, KELIN Executive Director Allan Maleche said:
“Food policy is health policy. If we are serious about preventing NCDs, we must address the environments that shape people’s choices, especially for children. Our role has been to ensure the legal and human rights foundations are strong, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration with the Ministry.”
Martha Ogutu, Co Chair of the Technical Working Group on Restriction on Marketing of Unhealthy Foods to Children and Senior Program Officer at KELIN, added:
“Our engagement with the Ministry has been constructive and technical. Through the TWGs, we have worked through the details of regulation from interpreting scientific evidence, applying public health standards and legal coherence. Through its leadership, the Steering Committee now gives an opportunity to ensure that this work is coordinated and implemented effectively for the health benefit of all Kenyans.”
KELIN remains committed to supporting the Ministry of Health in advancing policies that promote healthy diets and protect the right to health for all Kenyans.
For more information, please contact:
Martha Ogutu
Health and Governance
P. O. Box 112 – 00202 KNH Nairobi,
Tel: 020, 2515790
E-mail: marthaogutu@kelinkenya.org, info@kelinkenya.org
Website: www.kelinkenya.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya
