The Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with non-profit social enterprise Doctors for Healthy Living (D4HL), has intensified national preventive health efforts through a series of wellness screening activities leading up to World Diabetes Day 2025.
The most recent event took place at the National Treasury Building on 17 November, where 154 staff members underwent checks for key health indicators including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, waist circumference, and Body Mass Index (BMI). Participants also received personalised medical advice from healthcare professionals on-site.These wellness drives form part of D4HL’s flagship Know Your Numbers (KYN) campaign, launched to empower Kenyans with knowledge of their critical health metrics in order to reduce preventable disease.
In May 2025, the organisation also supported the Ministry of Health in screening MoH staff, an initiative praised by Dr. Gladwell Gathecha, Director of the Division of Cancer and NCDs, for promoting a culture of preventive healthcare.
World Diabetes Day 2025 will be marked globally on 14 November under the theme “Diabetes and Well-being at the Workplace.” The theme highlights the stigma, burnout, discrimination, and productivity challenges faced by millions of working-age adults living with diabetes.Kenya continues to experience a growing burden of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). According to national estimates, diabetes affects 4.5% of the population, with higher prevalence among older adults. A 2022 Cost of Illness Study placed the annual economic cost of diabetes at KES 24.6 billion, with urban areas experiencing the greatest impact.
Health officials attribute this rise to demographic and lifestyle transitions, including urbanisation and aging.The main national commemoration of World Diabetes Day in Kenya will be held on 14 November 2025 at Nairobi West Prison Grounds.
The event will be led by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Nairobi City County Government and organisations such as the NCD Alliance of Kenya, Kenya Red Cross Society, World Diabetes Foundation, and Doctors for Healthy Living.D4HL emphasises that raising awareness of personal health metrics is one of the most effective strategies for reducing the risk of chronic disease.
Through ongoing collaborations with government institutions, healthcare providers, and community partners, the organisation aims to help more Kenyans make informed decisions about their long-term health
