Mark HealthKE

A Walk Towards a Healthier Kenya For many Kenyans, daily life has become increasingly sedentary. Children spend more time on screens, workers sit for long hours, and safe spaces for walking, cycling and recreation are often limited. Yet the consequences are being felt across the country, with heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other non-communicable diseases now accounting for nearly 39 per cent of all deaths. Recognising the urgent need to reverse this trend, the Ministry of Health, through the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, on 11th June 2026 convened the National Symposium on Physical Activity and launched the country’s first Kenya Physical Activity Guidelines. Hosted by KCA University and coordinated by the Directorate of Primary Health Care through the Division of Health Promotion and Education in collaboration with the Division of Cancer and Non-Communicable Diseases, the event brought together government agencies, development partners, academia, civil society and health professionals united by a common goal: helping Kenyans move more and live healthier lives. The symposium highlighted a growing concern. Only about one in five adolescents in Kenya achieves recommended physical activity levels, while in Nairobi, just 12.6 per cent of children meet daily movement targets. Factors such as unsafe roads, limited recreational spaces, increased screen time and urban designs that favour motor vehicles over walking and cycling continue to discourage active lifestyles. Yet experts at the symposium emphasized that one of the most effective tools for preventing disease does not require expensive treatment or specialised equipment. Regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of many chronic illnesses while improving mental wellbeing and overall quality of life. The newly launched Kenya Physical Activity Guidelines provide practical recommendations for all age groups and offer a roadmap for integrating physical activity into schools, workplaces, communities and public spaces. The guidelines encourage children to engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day, while adults are advised to accumulate between 150 and 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week. The launch marked an important milestone, but stakeholders agreed that success will ultimately be measured by action on the ground. From creating safer neighbourhoods and playgrounds to promoting active transport and workplace wellness programmes, implementation will require sustained collaboration across sectors. The Ministry of Health acknowledged the support of partners including the World Health Organization, UNESCO, CHAK, NOCK, APHRC, Kenya Red Cross and many others whose contributions helped make the initiative possible. For Kenya, the message is simple: better health may begin with something as ordinary as a walk, a run, a game or a bicycle ride. By making movement part of everyday life, communities can help build a healthier future for generations to come.