This archive report was first published on 23 April 2020.
Meat and dairy disappearing from Kenyan diets ¶
Thursday, April 23, 2020
As the world grapples with the health and environmental impacts of meat consumption, Kenyans are increasingly turning to plant-based diets.
Janette Wambui, a vegan entrepreneur, has been living a plant-based lifestyle for 30 years. She credits her decision to a lactose intolerance diagnosis at age 12 and a desire to avoid lifestyle diseases that affect her family.
"I was motivated by the fact that lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes are affecting some members of my family and I knew my genetic construct would eventually catch on if I didn’t change my lifestyle," she says.
Janette runs a vegan home bakery and online store, Vegan Kenya, where she sells a variety of plant-based products.
Others, like Soni Adriance, a food-lover who has been vegetarian since last October, have been inspired by documentaries and social media.
"I started by trying it out for a month first and it turned out to be so much easier and cheaper and I’ve been doing it ever since," she explains.
Trainer Isaac Hunja, who has been living a vegan lifestyle for some time, credits his decision to a book by athlete Reggie Rolle, which highlighted the benefits of a plant-based diet.
"I do intermittent fasting and I once did a two-day fast and this was when I decided to be vegan after finishing the fast," he says.
Monica Kaboe, a senior nutrition officer, advises that a plant-based diet requires careful planning to ensure all necessary nutrients are consumed.
"For individuals who wish to transition to veganism, they need to be aware of how they incorporate all the amino acids in their meals," she says.
Despite the challenges, many Kenyans are finding success and health benefits from a plant-based lifestyle.
