NCCK Seeks Amendments to Children and Basic Education Laws
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) is calling for important changes to the Children Act and the Basic Education Act. Their main goal is to help reduce the growing number of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among children across the country.
Speaking during a consultative session with the National Assembly’s Education Committee and officials from the Ministry of Health, NCCK Chairperson Rev. Dr. Elias Ogolla proposed a new addition to the Children Act (Cap. 141), to be known as section 16A.
This new section would give every child the legal right to access quality, nutritious food that meets acceptable health standards.
It would also protect children from being targeted by advertisements promoting foods high in sugar, fat, and salt—ingredients that health experts have long warned are major contributors to NCDs such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Rev. Ogolla emphasized the need to ensure that all children can enjoy their constitutional rights to proper food and healthcare.
He noted that the proposed changes align with the Kenya Nutrient Profile Model, and include policy recommendations such as adding clear warning labels to food packages and placing strict limits on advertising unhealthy foods to children.
In addition to changes to the Children Act, the NCCK also suggested amending the Basic Education Act (Cap. 211). These changes would ensure that schools actively support children’s health and nutrition during school hours.
One key proposal is to require County Education Boards to take the lead in promoting health initiatives within schools. This includes forming special school health committees to monitor and improve children’s wellbeing at the grassroots level.
Mary Emaase, chair of the Education Committee, praised the initiative. She highlighted the importance of combining efforts from the education sector and faith-based organizations like the church to protect the future of Kenya’s children.
“Health and education must work hand-in-hand if we are serious about shaping a better tomorrow for our kids,” said Emaase. “We must shield them from the negative impact of junk food marketing and ensure that our schools become safe spaces where healthy habits are taught and practiced from an early age.”
These proposals come at a critical time, as non-communicable diseases have become a serious threat to public health in Kenya. Currently, NCDs such as cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, heart disease, and diabetes account for nearly 50% of all hospital admissions and are responsible for 39% of deaths in the country.
The joint meeting between lawmakers, church leaders, and health officials aimed to find ways to use legislation to protect children from these rising health risks and ensure they grow up in environments that support both learning and lifelong wellbeing.
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