Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur has proposed the introduction of a Health Promotion Levy targeting sugar-sweetened beverages to curb Kenya’s growing non-communicable disease (NCD) burden and boost public health financing.
The Health Promotion Levy proposal adds to a growing global trend of using fiscal policy to discourage harmful consumption habits while raising revenue for public health.
Speaking during public hearings on the Finance Bill, 2025 in Nairobi, Kitur said the rising consumption of sugary drinks has become a public health emergency, citing alarming rates of obesity, diabetes, and related diseases.
“We urge Parliament to pass this proposal in the interest of public health and economic sustainability. This levy is not just a tax—it’s an investment in the health of our people and the future of our children,” he said.
The proposed levy would be applied to manufacturers and importers of sugary drinks that exceed a base sugar threshold of four grams per 100 millilitres (ml).
Beverages exceeding this threshold would be taxed at Sh1 per gram/100ml for locally manufactured products and Sh2 per gram/100ml for imported products.
“The aim is not only to reduce sugar intake but also to encourage innovation in the beverage industry towards healthier alternatives,” said Kitur, who was accompanied by pharmacist Geoffrey Kiprop.
Kitur emphasised that revenue generated from the levy should be ring-fenced and directed to critical health and nutrition programmes, including school feeding initiatives, public health awareness campaigns, infrastructure to combat diabetes and other NCDs, and subsidies for healthier beverage alternatives.
The proposed legislation includes key exemptions for 100 per cent fruit juices with no added sugar, dairy-based beverages with at least 75 per cent milk content, and products intended for export.
Under the proposal, the Kenya Revenue Authority will oversee levy collection, while the Kenya Bureau of Standards will verify sugar content in products to ensure compliance.
“As a parent and as a legislator, I cannot stand by while our children are being exposed to health risks disguised as refreshments,” Kitur said.
