A photo of the diffrent stakeholders during the convening./PHOTO ; Courtesy
As excess weight drives the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in Kenya, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, experts warn that it can no longer be treated as a lifestyle issue.
Once considered a matter of diet or willpower, it is now recognized as a complex, chronic condition that requires structured care, financing, and policy support.
Brian Githehu: From Experience to Advocacy
“My journey with obesity spans from primary school through high school and into higher education, shaping who I am today as an advocate,” says Brian Githehu.
For years, the word “big” followed him. At first, it felt like a simple description. In high school, he realized that his weight was not just about appearance it was about health and the future.
“When I became truly aware of the implications for my health, I knew I had to take action.
But it wasn’t easy. I tried everything: dieting, gym workouts, intermittent fasting, boxing, and medications, including Ozempic. Despite being disciplined, the body fat wouldn’t budge.
That was frustrating.” Brian emphasizes that obesity is more than food or willpower.
“It’s about your body and metabolism how it processes, breaks down, and absorbs nutrients. Living with obesity affects not just health, but confidence, mobility, and daily life.”
He shares the practical challenges:
“Before sitting on a chair, I had to ensure it could support me. Clothes rarely fit. Traveling whether by air or matatu was stressful.
People sometimes avoided sitting next to me, and I’d choose the front seat or an Uber for comfort. And the judgment people asking, ‘Can’t you just stop eating?’ as if it’s entirely my fault. Obesity is far more complex than that.
Mental health also played a role. “Obesity affects mental health.
You may struggle with depression, anxiety, and emotional stress. Sometimes it’s not junk food; I could eat ugali and vegetables in large portions to cope with stress.
Food can become a way to quiet an internal storm, much like alcohol or drugs.
With a slower metabolism, managing weight is even harder.” Brian credits finding the right medical team for his progress.
“Before bariatric surgery, my doctors didn’t treat obesity as a business transaction.
They offered nutrition guidance, mental health support, and gradual weight reduction. My heaviest weight was 160 kilograms; I reduced to 149 kilograms before surgery.”
The surgery, costing KSh 750,000, was transformative. Insurance did not cover it, though SHA helped with some medication costs.
“Post-surgery, I weigh 113 kilograms. I feel happier, mentally stable, confident, and stronger.
My energy is higher, focus sharper, and I can handle daily pressures better. Most importantly,
I now have dignity and control over my health.”
Brian notes that stigma is real.
“People treat you differently when your body changes. Advocacy is important to educate, challenge bias, and ensure support, not judgment.”
His advocacy extends to schools, communities, and online platforms.“I want others to know that obesity is a medical condition requiring care, understanding, and a supportive environment. Awareness, proper treatment, and compassion are key.”
World Obesity Day: Beyond Awareness
During World Obesity Day, stakeholders in Nairobi pushed for practical solutions integrating obesity care into Universal Health Coverage, expanding insurance coverage, and strengthening policy frameworks.
The launch of the Kenya Society of Obesity and Metabolic Health marks a step toward coordinated, science-based, patient-centered obesity care.
Obesity and Cardiovascular Health
Dr. Dan Gikonyo, a cardiologist, explains the connection:
“Excess weight is a major contributor to hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. Losing weight can significantly improve health outcomes.”
He notes that obesity is not always behavioral.
“Some people are genetically predisposed to being overweight. Others gain weight due to lifestyle factors, such as unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, or excessive alcohol.”
Structural interventions are crucial, he says: safe pedestrian walkways, preserved playgrounds, and proper school nutrition programs.
“What children learn in childhood shapes the adults they become.”
National Perspective
Dr. Stephen Mutiso, Lead of the Cardio-Metabolic and Renal Health Program at the Ministry of Health, highlights that non-communicable diseases now account for 62 percent of hospital admissions and 43 percent of deaths in Kenya.
“Obesity has shifted from being seen as a risk factor to being recognized as a disease on its own. We must act urgently to control this epidemic,” he says.
The Ministry’s prevention strategy focuses on reducing harmful alcohol use, tobacco consumption, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diets.
Policies include regulating sugar-sweetened beverages, front-of-pack labeling, and taxation on tobacco and alcohol.
“Prevention is always better than cure,” he emphasizes, noting that awareness is growing, with more Kenyans joining gyms, marathons, and walking clubs.
Recognizing Obesity as a Chronic Disease
Dr. Nicola Okech, Consultant Physician, Endocrinologist, Obesity Medicine Specialist, and Chairperson of the Kenya Society of Obesity and Metabolic Health, says:
“Overweight and obesity are rising, particularly among children. An overweight child is more likely to become an obese adult, increasing the risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and certain cancers.”
Obesity is a chronic disease requiring lifelong management.
Biology, not willpower, regulates appetite and weight.
Dr. Okech also warns against weight bias in healthcare: inadequate chairs or desks may discourage patients from seeking care.
Insurance coverage remains limited, usually only when obesity is accompanied by other conditions.
“Our goal is prevention. Covering treatment early can avoid costly complications later.”
New medications, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, help manage obesity biologically but are not magic solutions.
They must be prescribed by qualified medical professionals and paired with lifestyle changes for long-term success.
A Call to Action
Obesity is not a cosmetic issue or simple lifestyle choice. It is a complex, chronic disease requiring medical care, supportive policies, and public awareness.
For advocates like Brian Githehu, recognizing obesity as a disease is about dignity, access to care, and empowering people to take control of their health.
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