Kenya Unveils Physical Activity Guidelines to Tackle Rising Lifestyle Diseases
By Editorial Team
NAIROBI, June 11, 2026 — Kenya has launched national physical activity guidelines in a major push to combat the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, with health officials urging citizens to embrace active lifestyles as part of everyday living.
The guidelines, unveiled at KCA University, provide evidence-based recommendations on physical activity for people of all ages and conditions, including children, adults, pregnant women, older persons, and people living with disabilities.
Health officials say the framework comes at a critical time as Kenya grapples with an increase in lifestyle-related illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and obesity.
Speaking during the launch, Dr. Joel Odhiambo Gondi, Senior Deputy Director of Medical Services and Director of Primary Health Care at the Ministry of Health, described the guidelines as a long-awaited intervention aimed at helping Kenyans make informed decisions about their health.
For years, he noted, many people lacked reliable and structured information on the role physical activity plays in preventing disease and improving overall wellbeing.
“Previously, we have been working in a vacuum,” said Dr. Gondi. “Many people did not have evidence-based information regarding how physical activity contributes to health. These guidelines now provide a clear framework for every Kenyan.”
Importantly, he explained, the guidelines are designed to ensure no one feels excluded from physical activity due to age, disability, pregnancy, or health concerns. Instead, physical exercise will now be guided according to individual body needs, age, and physical condition.
At the same time, Dr. Gondi emphasized that improving public health cannot be left to the health sector alone. Rather, he called for an “all-government and all-society approach,” saying lasting change will only happen when individuals, institutions, and communities collectively take responsibility for healthier lifestyles.
While the Ministry of Health provides the first line of support, he said, individuals must take personal responsibility for their wellbeing by understanding the level of physical activity required to stay healthy.
This, he warned, is particularly urgent as non-communicable diseases continue to emerge as one of the leading causes of death in Kenya, while also placing emotional and financial strain on families caring for loved ones with prolonged illnesses.
Consequently, the government plans to strengthen partnerships across sectors, including education and sports, to promote physical activity from an early age.
According to Dr. Gondi, healthy habits must begin at home before extending to schools, universities, workplaces, and recreational spaces.
“We must form these habits when children are young,” he said. “It starts in the household, continues in schools through sports and physical activity, and remains important even at university and beyond.”
Additionally, the Ministry of Health plans to integrate physical activity awareness into community health programmes through over 107,000 community health promoters working across villages and urban settlements nationwide.
As a result, even people living in remote areas and informal settlements are expected to access information on the benefits of staying physically active.
Meanwhile, KCA University welcomed the launch, describing it as a product of strong collaboration between academia and government.
KCA University Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Isaiah Wakindiki, said the institution had actively contributed to the development of the guidelines through its staff, including Professor Vincent Pomera, who co-chaired the steering committee on promoting physical activity in Kenya.
According to Prof. Wakindiki, universities have an important role to play in shaping healthy societies, noting that academic excellence must go hand in hand with physical wellness.
Although KCA University is widely known for business and technology programmes, he said the institution has increasingly invested in promoting physical activity among students and staff.
“Work without play makes Jack a dull boy,” said Prof. Wakindiki. “To create healthy minds and productive professionals, we must also invest in physical wellness.”
As part of this commitment, the university has for the past four years organized an annual cycling programme aimed at promoting physical health, road safety, and community awareness.
Beyond fitness, the initiative also advocates for safer roads for cyclists and pedestrians, who often compete for space with motorized traffic in both urban and rural areas.
Furthermore, the university is exploring new academic programmes focused on sports science and human movement, reflecting the growing role of sports as both a professional and economic sector.
Prof. Wakindiki noted that Kenya’s sporting success presents untapped opportunities for young people to pursue careers and business ventures linked to sports and physical activity.
In the coming years, KCA University plans to establish a department dedicated to human movement and sports-related studies to equip learners with practical and market-driven skills.
The Vice Chancellor also shared the personal story behind his passion for cycling, recalling how he learned to ride a bicycle as a child using one owned by his father, an evangelist.
Today, he said, cycling at KCA University has evolved into more than just recreation, serving as a platform for health promotion, sustainability, fundraising, and public awareness.
Looking ahead, the university plans to open its annual cycling event to the public in September, inviting communities, students, and even journalists to participate in promoting healthier lifestyles.
Ultimately, the launch of the physical activity guidelines signals Kenya’s growing focus on preventive healthcare, with officials hopeful that increased awareness and healthier habits will help curb the country’s rising burden of lifestyle diseases.
