International Institute for Legislative Affairs

10/10/2026

Protecting mental well-being also means protecting young people from to***co and ni****ne addiction.

This , let’s recognise the link between mental well-being and to***co control.

Kenya must urgently pass the To***co Control (Amendment) Bill, strengthen sh**ha regulation, challenge deceptive “harm reduction” narratives and increase to***co and ni****ne taxes to protect young people from addiction and harm.

As we look towards the 2027 ***coDay theme, Mental well-being: Protecting young minds from to***co and ni****ne,” let’s put people’s health before industry interests.

Call on our Kenyan policymakers to act now. Protect health. Prevent addiction. Hold the industry accountable.

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08/10/2026

Did you know that trade agreements can also affect how countries protect people from to***co-related harm?

When we talk about to***co industry interference, we often think about companies trying to influence health laws. But that influence can extend into trade agreements and economic decisions too.

Today, IILA brought stakeholders together to discuss findings from a fact sheet examining to***co industry interference in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and East African Community (EAC) processes.

Peter Magati, Development Economist at Development Hub, who supported IILA as a Technical Adviser on the project, shared findings on how to***co industry interests can exploit trade provisions and regulatory gaps to challenge to***co control measures. The discussion highlighted why transparency, stronger government coordination, and protecting public health interests in trade decisions matter.

Because As Africa grows economically, protecting people's health should never be left behind.

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07/10/2026

Think about your last supermarket run.

Maybe you picked up biscuits for the house, juice for the kids, a packet of crisps or something quick for dinner. Now, could you easily tell which of those products was high in sugar, salt, or unhealthy fat?

For most shoppers, that information is not always easy to understand. Front-of-pack warning labels would make it much simpler. A clear warning on the front of a product can help Kenyan shoppers know what they are buying before it goes into the basket.

The recent conversation between President William Ruto and Mike Bloomberg has put fresh attention on this issue. Now is the time to keep that momentum going.

01/10/2026

Our health can’t wait!

Every day that action is delayed, Kenyans remain exposed to industrially produced trans fats in our food supply. It's time to act!

Our health can’t wait.

Every day that action is delayed, Kenyans remain exposed to industrial trans fats in our food supply.

Cardiovascular diseases account for about 25 per cent of hospital admissions

29/09/2026

Today is World Heart Day, and this year’s theme is simple: Don’t Miss a Beat. ❤️

For Kenya, that message goes beyond the heartbeat. More than 2 out of every 5 deaths in Kenya are due to Non-Communicable Diseases, which makes every opportunity for prevention worth paying attention to. Ministry of Health Kenya

The Ministry of Health has already demonstrated commitment to tackling Kenya’s NCD burden. Today gives us a chance to recognise that progress and also look at the next opportunities for action. Industrially produced trans fat is a known cardiovascular risk, and established regulatory solutions exist.

So our message this World Heart Day is simple: Ministry of Health, build on Kenya’s NCD commitment by making trans fat regulation a priority and fast-tracking the remaining regulatory process.

Don’t miss the risk.
Don’t miss the policy opportunity.
Don’t miss a beat.

29/09/2026

How do we make technical nutrition information easier for everyone to understand and use?

Today, IILA’s Health Governance, Food Policy and Communications teams joined KELIN and other stakeholders for the launch of simplified public education and advocacy materials on the Kenya Nutrient Profile Model (KNPM). The KNPM provides an important technical foundation for food policies such as front-of-pack nutrition labelling, marketing restrictions and consumer protection.

The new materials help translate this technical information into something communities, advocates and civil society can more easily understand and use.
We appreciate KELIN for convening this important conversation and for the opportunity to contribute.

25/09/2026

More than 2 out of every 5 deaths in Kenya are linked to non-communicable diseases(NCD's).

That is not a small number, and it gives this year’s World Heart Day theme “Don’t Miss a Beat” a very real meaning for Kenya. One of the things we should not miss is the opportunity to act on preventable risks within our food environment.

Industrially produced trans fat is one of those risks, and there is already strong evidence behind the need for regulation.

So this World Heart Day, the message is simple:
Don’t miss the risk.
Don’t miss the evidence.
Don’t miss the policy opportunity.
Let’s keep trans fat regulation moving.

25/09/2026

Yesterday, IILA joined other stakeholders in the public hearings on the To***co Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024. It was a useful space to listen, share perspectives, and contribute to the ongoing conversation on how Kenya’s to***co-control framework can respond to a changing market.

Today, to***co control is no longer only about traditional ci******es. Newer ni****ne products, flavours, digital promotion and different product designs are all part of the picture.

That is why discussions around youth protection, regulation of emerging products, enforcement and accountability continue to matter.

For IILA, public participation is an important part of making policy better, bringing different voices, evidence and experiences into the same room and ensuring they are part of the legislative process. We were glad to be part of that conversation.

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23/09/2026

The To***co Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is currently under consideration by the National Assembly, with public hearings going on.

The Bill addresses changes in Kenya’s to***co and ni****ne market, including electronic ni****ne delivery systems and related products. Public participation gives Kenyans an opportunity to understand the proposals, raise questions, and share views with Parliament as the legislative process continues.

This is an important moment for informed discussion about how Kenya’s to***co-control framework responds to emerging products and changing forms of promotion and access.

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21/09/2026

You should not need to be a nutrition expert to understand what is in the food you buy. That is why simplifying the Kenya Nutrient Profile Model (KNPM) matters.

IILA’s Communications Team, represented by Rose Nabwire and Winlight Harrison, joined stakeholders at a validation meeting hosted by KELIN to discuss how the KNPM can be made clearer and easier to understand and apply, while maintaining its scientific integrity.

The KNPM helps identify pre-packaged foods that are high in nutrients of concern such as sugars, sodium, and saturated fats. Making this information easier to translate and communicate can support measures such as Front-of-Pack Warning Labels, giving consumers clearer information at the point of purchase.

The science may be technical. The information reaching consumers does not have to be. Clearer information supports informed choices and stronger action towards healthier food environments in Kenya.