This article on Sky News HD suggests that a 20% “fat tax” on unhealthy food and drink could help cut the number of people suffering from obesity and heart disease. It got me thinking, is increasing tax on fatty foods a solution to the rise of obesity in Kenya?

The number of obese people is increasing at an alarming rate. Look at the traffic police manning our roads or the “Kanjo” askaris we easily dodge due to their excess weight, the obese community is growing at an “enormous” rate.

As the news segment suggested, an increase in “fat tax” combined with subsidies on healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables could help cut the number of people suffering from obesity and heart diseases.

Evidence from the UK suggests taxing a wide range of unhealthy foods is likely to result in greater health benefits. A study conducted in America revealed that a 35% tax on sugar-sweetened drinks in a canteen led to a 26% decline in sales.

If KRA increases taxes on fattening food stuff such as soda, cheese fries, steak, and ice creams, it would discourage Kenyans from buying such items thus protecting them from obese related ailments.

Dear tax-man,

Why don’t you increase tax on fatty or sugary food stuffs such as soda and fries instead of doing away with tax cuts on essential commodities such as kerosene and wheat? You will not only be saving our lives but will also be making life a little bit more affordable for the local mwananchi (citizen).

Yours

Local Mwananchi   

What do you think? Should KRA impose a 'fat' tax?