Latest news with #CleophasMalala
24-05-2025
- Health
Some Africans have long seen a big belly as a sign of wealth. It's killing them
NAIROBI, Kenya -- In many African cultures, a big belly has long been seen as a sign of wealth. But this perception is proving deadly as deaths due to obesity -related illnesses rise. In Kenya, overweight politicians are often called Boss or Mkubwa — Swahili for 'big man' — by constituents, with their girth symbolizing prosperity. Younger politicians, including the governors of Nairobi and Mombasa, have begun speaking publicly about weight loss. Obesity contributes to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, which have become Kenya's leading cause of death. The health ministry says they are responsible for 39% of fatalities annually. In a country where the government has said almost a third of the population is still unable to fulfill food needs, 13% adults are obese, according to the 2025 World Obesity Atlas. The contrast highlights the country's growing inequality and the popularity of fast and processed foods by those with rising incomes. Perceptions about obesity can affect financial and other decisions. In neighboring Uganda, microfinance institutions vetted loan applicants based on their weight, and those overweight were considered more able to repay loans, according to a study published by the American Economic Review in 2023. 'Most people feel like when I start making money, I have to look like the money itself by being fat or obese,' said Kenyan nutritionist Felix Okoth. 'They however don't realize that they are predisposing themselves to these lifestyle conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.' The World Health Organization's Africa director has called the rising trend a 'ticking time bomb" for the continent with the world's youngest and fastest growing population. Some are trying to change the conversation around weight. A former senator in Kenya, Cleophas Malala, has described how a 15-hour flight to the U.S. left him in pain and how doctors advised him to reduce. From a starting weight of 138 kilograms (304 pounds), he embarked on a non-solid diet for 90 days. Though he didn't disclose his current weight, before-and-after photos show him noticeably slimmer. 'My colleagues in parliament were mad that I left the 'club' after I lost weight,' the 39-year-old has said. Stephen Ogweno, who had childhood obesity and later became a public health advocate, said most Kenyan legislators don't see the issue as a problem. 'These discussions are held in parliament where most MPs have big bellies, and so admitting that it concerns them, too, would be a good place to start,' he said, Kenyan President William Ruto has spoken publicly about the need to be fit for work. He had to reassure Kenyans in 2023 that he was okay after online speculation about his health following weight loss. 'I decided to cut it down because the task ahead was not easy,' he told journalists. Increasing incomes, proliferation of fast-food outlets in urban areas, sedentary lifestyles and lack of infrastructure that promotes physical activity have been named as probable causes of rising obesity in developing countries. 'We need to make sure that when we move away from lack of food, we are not going to the wrong food groups,' said a Kampala-based doctor, Miriam Laker Oketta. Public health campaigns will help demystify the perception that weight is an indication of wealth, said Caroline Kirui, the Africa director for Project ECHO, an information-sharing platform for healthcare workers. Gyms, weight loss drugs and surgeries are being increasingly advertised in Kenya. But approaches such as the Ozempic weight-loss drug have left some users like Caroline Havi dissatisfied. She said she turned to a one-meal-a-day diet instead and hopes to eventually reduce her weight from 105 kilograms to 70 'without spending so much." In South Africa, obesity-related deaths due to non-communicable diseases have surpassed HIV-related deaths, according to the WHO. The 2025 World Obesity Atlas said 32% of South Africa's adults are obese. The perception that weight is a symbol of wealth is slowly changing, said Rebone Ntsie, nutrition director at the National Department of Health. 'There are those who still see it like that, but people are also seeing the dangers and its no longer celebrated as a sign of dignity, beauty, respect, social status," she said.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Controversial school play sparks chaos at Kenya drama competition
Kenya's national high-school drama competition has been overshadowed by drama of its own after police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd that had gathered to watch a controversial play. The play, Echoes of War, highlights the role of digital spaces in governance and the power of youth in shaping societal change - with close parallels to Kenya's current political situation. It was initially disqualified from the drama festival under unclear circumstances, but a High Court ruling later overturned the decision and ordered it to be included. Tensions flared in the western town of Nakuru on Thursday morning when students stormed out of the venue, demanding the release of the play's author. Cleophas Malala, the scriptwriter and a former senator who penned the production for students from Butere Girls School, was blocked by police from meeting the students for final rehearsals on Wednesday evening. Malala was later released without charge and praised the students for boycotting the play. "The young girls of Butere Girls' have exercised an act of heroic restoration. I'm determined to ensure that Echoes of War is displayed before a Kenyan audience," Malala said immediately after his release. The students briefly sang the national anthem before dramatically leaving the hall, which was sealed off by anti-riot police, armed with batons and tear gas canisters. "There's no audience. Who are we performing for?" one of the girls told journalists. They also complained about police harassment. Following news of Malala's arrest, large crowds had gathered outside the venue curious to watch the play. But anti-riot police had been deployed overnight in case of trouble and they fired tear gas to disperse the would-be audience. Education Minister Julius Ogamba questioned the involvement of Malala in the competition, saying the politician was neither a teacher nor a play director. The row has sparked public uproar, with rights group Amnesty International saying it was "pointing to a worrying pattern of state-sponsored repression of free expression, press freedom, and the right to associate". Prominent opposition figure Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the police for firing tear gas near students, praising the "brave" girls for declining to perform. In a statement, the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) demanded that the students be allowed to stage their play like all the other competitors. The play highlights a widening gap between two generations - the old and the young - demanding change through innovation and technology. It reflects some of Kenya's most pressing problems, some of which sparked youth-led deadly protests last year. New faces of protest - Kenya's Gen Z anti-tax revolutionaries Kenyan president's humbling shows power of African youth Batons, tear gas, live fire - Kenyans face police brutality How Kenya's evangelical president has fallen out with churches Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Controversial school play sparks chaos at Kenya drama competition
Kenya's national high-school drama competition has been overshadowed by drama of its own after police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd that had gathered to watch a controversial play. The play, Echoes of War, highlights the role of digital spaces in governance and the power of youth in shaping societal change - with close parallels to Kenya's current political situation. It was initially disqualified from the drama festival under unclear circumstances, but a High Court ruling later overturned the decision and ordered it to be included. Tensions flared in the western town of Nakuru on Thursday morning when students stormed out of the venue, demanding the release of the play's author. Cleophas Malala, the scriptwriter and a former senator who penned the production for students from Butere Girls School, was blocked by police from meeting the students for final rehearsals on Wednesday evening. Malala was later released without charge and praised the students for boycotting the play. "The young girls of Butere Girls' have exercised an act of heroic restoration. I'm determined to ensure that Echoes of War is displayed before a Kenyan audience," Malala said immediately after his release. The students briefly sang the national anthem before dramatically leaving the hall, which was sealed off by anti-riot police, armed with batons and tear gas canisters. "There's no audience. Who are we performing for?" one of the girls told journalists. They also complained about police harassment. Following news of Malala's arrest, large crowds had gathered outside the venue curious to watch the play. But anti-riot police had been deployed overnight in case of trouble and they fired tear gas to disperse the would-be audience. Education Minister Julius Ogamba questioned the involvement of Malala in the competition, saying the politician was neither a teacher nor a play director. The row has sparked public uproar, with rights group Amnesty International saying it was "pointing to a worrying pattern of state-sponsored repression of free expression, press freedom, and the right to associate". Prominent opposition figure Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the police for firing tear gas near students, praising the "brave" girls for declining to perform. In a statement, the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) demanded that the students be allowed to stage their play like all the other competitors. The play highlights a widening gap between two generations - the old and the young - demanding change through innovation and technology. It reflects some of Kenya's most pressing problems, some of which sparked youth-led deadly protests last year. New faces of protest - Kenya's Gen Z anti-tax revolutionaries Kenyan president's humbling shows power of African youth Batons, tear gas, live fire - Kenyans face police brutality How Kenya's evangelical president has fallen out with churches Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
10-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Echoes of War: Butere Girls School play angers Kenyan government
Kenya's national high-school drama competition has been overshadowed by drama of its own after police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd that had gathered to watch a controversial play, Echoes of War, highlights the role of digital spaces in governance and the power of youth in shaping societal change - with close parallels to Kenya's current political situation. It was initially disqualified from the drama festival under unclear circumstances, but a High Court ruling later overturned the decision and ordered it to be flared in the western town of Nakuru on Thursday morning when students stormed out of the venue, demanding the release of the play's author. Cleophas Malala, the scriptwriter and a former senator who penned the production for students from Butere Girls School, was blocked by police from meeting the students for final rehearsals on Wednesday was later released without charge and praised the students for boycotting the play. "The young girls of Butere Girls' have exercised an act of heroic restoration. I'm determined to ensure that Echoes of War is displayed before a Kenyan audience," Malala said immediately after his release. The students briefly sang the national anthem before dramatically leaving the hall, which was sealed off by anti-riot police, armed with batons and tear gas canisters. "There's no audience. Who are we performing for?" one of the girls told journalists. They also complained about police harassment. Following news of Malala's arrest, large crowds had gathered outside the venue curious to watch the anti-riot police had been deployed overnight in case of trouble and they fired tear gas to disperse the would-be Minister Julius Ogamba questioned the involvement of Malala in the competition, saying the politician was neither a teacher nor a play director. The row has sparked public uproar, with rights group Amnesty International saying it was "pointing to a worrying pattern of state-sponsored repression of free expression, press freedom, and the right to associate".Prominent opposition figure Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the police for firing tear gas near students, praising the "brave" girls for declining to perform. In a statement, the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) demanded that the students be allowed to stage their play like all the other competitors. The play highlights a widening gap between two generations - the old and the young - demanding change through innovation and reflects some of Kenya's most pressing problems, some of which sparked youth-led deadly protests last year. You may also be interested in: New faces of protest - Kenya's Gen Z anti-tax revolutionariesKenyan president's humbling shows power of African youthBatons, tear gas, live fire - Kenyans face police brutalityHow Kenya's evangelical president has fallen out with churches Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
